Some stents stay in for just a few days to a week. Others may stay in for several
months. If your child has a stent, the urologist will let you know how long it's needed.
How Is a Ureteral Stent Removed?
A ureteral stent that's going to be in place for only a few days to a week usually
has a string attached to the end of it. This string comes out of the urethra (where
pee comes out) and is taped to the child's leg. This type of stent is removed either
at home or in the doctor's office.
Stents that are in place for several weeks or months are removed by the urologist
in the operating room.
How Can I Help My Child?
A ureteral stent sometimes can be uncomfortable and cause some blood
in the pee. Here's how to help your child feel more comfortable until the stent
comes out.
Give medicines as directed:
Medicine for bladder spasms: The stent can irritate the bladder,
making it
. This can be uncomfortable and make your child need to pee often. The
stent also can cause pain
with peeing, which sometimes is felt over the bladder or the back. Give the recommended
medicine for spasms to help your child feel more comfortable. This medicine also can
help reduce blood in the pee.
Other medicines: If the doctor prescribed other medicines, give
them exactly as directed.
Encourage your child to drink lots of caffeine-free liquids:
Drinking and peeing a lot can help kids feel more comfortable and reduce blood
in the pee.
Send a water bottle to school or childcare to encourage your child to drink throughout
the day.
Watch the amount of blood in the pee:
It's normal for your child's pee to have some blood in it while the stent is in.
As long as it's light (it may look like pink lemonade or cranberry juice), it's nothing
to worry about.
Watch for constipation, which can make pain from a stent worse:
Many kids have constipation
after surgery or while taking medicine for spasms or pain. If your child is constipated,
talk to the urologist. Often, medicines and diet changes can help.
Follow up with the
as instructed so that the stent is removed on time.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call the doctor right away if your child has a fever with shaking
chills, back pain, or pain while peeing.
Also call the doctor if your child:
is constipated (has hard or painful bowel movements, or isn't pooping each day)
