Cystoscopy to remove a ureteric stent

The clinician locates the end of the stent inside the bladder, grips it and gently withdraws it. The planned pain control and preparation depend on the type of cystoscope, your health and local practice.

A ureteric stent is a soft tube that runs between a kidney and the bladder to keep urine draining. When it no longer needs to remain, a cystoscope gives the clinician a view of its bladder end without a skin incision.

You may notice pressure, an urge to pass urine or brief discomfort as the scope and stent move through the urinary passage. Mild burning, urinary frequency or a small amount of blood in the urine can occur for a short time afterward.

Follow the clinic's instructions about eating, drinking and regular medicines because these vary with the planned anesthesia. Tell the team about blood-thinning medicines, medicine allergies, pregnancy possibility, urinary infection symptoms and any previous difficulty with urinary procedures.

After removal, use the prescribed pain relief and drink fluids as advised for your medical circumstances. Confirm whether you can drive, work or exercise that day, and whether follow-up imaging or urine tests are planned.

Contact the treating service promptly if pain is increasing rather than settling, you develop fever or chills, urine becomes cloudy or foul-smelling, bleeding is heavy or clots appear. Seek urgent care if you cannot pass urine, feel severely unwell, or have intense pain in the side or back with vomiting.

Ask which anesthesia is planned, whether you need a urine test beforehand, how long urinary irritation may last in your situation, and who to call outside clinic hours. Also clarify why the stent can now come out and whether another stent could be needed.