Why Do I Need a Ureteric Stent After Kidney Stone Surgery?
If you have had kidney stone surgery, particularly ureteroscopy and laser stone treatment, you may wake up to be told that a ureteric stent has been inserted.
A stent can cause some temporary discomfort, so it is reasonable to ask: why do I need one if the stone has already been treated?
The short answer is that a stent helps keep urine draining safely from the kidney while the ureter recovers. Importantly, not everyone needs one after stone surgery.[1–4] Current European guidelines recommend avoiding routine stenting after uncomplicated ureteroscopy when it is safe to do so.[1]
What is a ureteric stent?
A ureteric stent is a thin, flexible tube placed inside the ureter, which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Its curled ends usually sit within the kidney and bladder, which is why it is sometimes called a double-J stent.
You can read more in the detailed guide: Ureteric Stents – What to Expect.
Why might I need a stent after kidney stone surgery?
During ureteroscopy, fine instruments are passed through the ureter to reach and treat the stone. Even when surgery goes well, the ureter can temporarily become swollen.
A stent may therefore be recommended to:
Maintain kidney drainage while swelling settles.
Reduce the risk of temporary blockage from swelling, blood or stone fragments.
Support healing if the ureter has been stretched or irritated during surgery.
Protect drainage after ureteric injury or more difficult stone surgery.
Allow small residual stone fragments to pass while maintaining drainage.
Provide drainage when there are additional concerns such as infection, impaired kidney function or a planned second procedure.[1,2]
The decision depends on what your surgeon finds during the operation rather than simply on the size of the original kidney stone.
Does everyone need a stent after ureteroscopy?
No.
Both European and American urological guidance support selective stent use after uncomplicated ureteroscopy.[1,2] A 2026 systematic review of 32 randomised trials involving more than 3,500 patients found that omitting a stent after appropriately selected uncomplicated ureteroscopy reduced pain and urinary symptoms without reducing stone-clearance rates.[3]
This means the question is not simply “Are stents good or bad?” It is whether a stent provides enough benefit in your particular operation to justify the temporary symptoms it may cause.
What symptoms can a ureteric stent cause?
Common symptoms include:
urinary frequency or urgency
burning when passing urine
bladder discomfort
flank or kidney discomfort, particularly when urinating
intermittent blood in the urine.
These symptoms can sometimes significantly affect quality of life.[4,5]
Symptoms usually resolve after the stent is removed. If they are troublesome, speak with your treating team because management can often be individualised.
How long does a stent stay in?
There is no single correct duration. Some stents remain for only a few days, while others are required for longer depending on ureteric swelling, injury, residual stones or whether another procedure is planned.[1]
Before leaving hospital, make sure you know when and how your stent will be removed. Stents should not simply be forgotten.
When should I seek urgent medical attention?
Seek urgent assessment if you develop fever, chills, significant worsening pain, difficulty passing urine, heavy bleeding or feel significantly unwell.
An obstructed urinary system associated with infection can require urgent treatment.[1]
Travelling after kidney stone surgery
Patients travelling from interstate or overseas should ideally have a clear plan for stent removal and follow-up before travelling home. Timing depends on the operation, symptoms and reason for stenting.
For further information, explore Kidney Stones & Endourology or request an appointment to discuss kidney stone treatment in Brisbane, including review of existing CT imaging and previous stone treatment.
For people who experience repeated stones, recurrent kidney stone assessment and prevention may also be appropriate.
Medical disclaimer
This information is general educational information and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Whether a ureteric stent is required, how long it should remain in place and how postoperative symptoms should be managed depend on the procedure performed and your individual circumstances. If you become acutely unwell after kidney stone surgery, seek urgent medical assessment.
References
European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis. Arnhem: EAU Guidelines Office; 2026.
Assimos D, Krambeck A, Miller NL, et al. Surgical management of stones: American Urological Association/Endourological Society Guideline, Part II. J Urol. 2016;196(4):1161-1169. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2016.05.091.
Cormio A, Giulioni C, Nedbal C, et al. Does omitting a ureteral stent affect the outcomes of uncomplicated ureteroscopy for ureteral and kidney stones in adults? Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative randomized trials by the EAU Endourology Section. World J Urol. 2026;44(1):424. doi:10.1007/s00345-026-06540-9.
Ordonez M, Hwang EC, Borofsky M, Bakker CJ, Gandhi S, Dahm P. Ureteral stent versus no ureteral stent for ureteroscopy in the management of renal and ureteral calculi. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2(2):CD012703. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012703.pub2.
Joshi HB, Stainthorpe A, MacDonagh RP, Keeley FX Jr, Timoney AG, Barry MJ. Indwelling ureteral stents: evaluation of symptoms, quality of life and utility. J Urol. 2003;169(3):1065-1069. doi:10.1097/01.JU.0000048980.33855.90.
