What is a ureteral stent (Double-J stent)?

A ureteral stent, commonly called a Double-J (DJ) stent, is a small flexible tube about 25 cm long with a pigtail coil at each end shaped like the letter J. It was invented in 1976 and is placed inside the ureter to ensure urine flows freely from the kidney to the bladder whenever the ureter is obstructed or injured.

When is a ureteral stent needed?

A ureteral stent is indicated for severe kidney infection with blocked urine flow, severe kidney or ureteral injury from trauma, intolerable acute kidney stone pain, pre-stenting before ESWL (shockwave lithotripsy) for large stones, and ureteral swelling after endoscopic laser stone surgery.

How long can a ureteral stent stay in the body?

A ureteral stent is typically designed to remain in the urinary system for up to 3 months. The longer it stays, the higher the risk of encrustation, where calcium from urine builds up on the stent and can cause it to become like a stone itself. Early removal is always preferred.

What are the side effects of having a ureteral stent?

Up to 80% of patients experience stent-related discomfort. Common symptoms include incomplete bladder emptying (76%), urinary urgency (57–60%), urinary frequency (50–60%), irritation during urination (40%), suprapubic discomfort (30%), bloody urine (25%), and flank discomfort (19–32%).

Will the discomfort from a ureteral stent go away?

Yes. All stent-related symptoms, including urinary frequency, urgency, pain, and bloody urine, will disappear completely once the ureteral stent is removed. These symptoms are temporary and caused by the body's natural response to the foreign object.

Why does a ureteral stent cause urinary symptoms?

The body recognizes the stent as a foreign object and naturally tries to expel it through ureteral contractions. Because the double pigtail design prevents the stent from being passed out, these repeated contractions cause irritation and discomfort in the bladder and urinary tract.

Ureteral Stent (DJ Stent): Pros and Cons

Ultimo aggiornamento: 18 maggio 2026

Soarawee Weerasopone, Urologo

Sede dell'ospedale di Bangkok, Bangkok

Ospedale Samitivej Sriracha, Chonburi

Contatto LINEA

Ureteral stent is a very useful surgical instrument in Endoscopic Urologic surgery. My patients always asked questions on this thing “what was that?” Is it dangerous to do so? What will cause the side effects during retaining the ureteral stent? This topic I will encoding all your questions.

DJ stent is internal-designed urologic instrument for securing ureteral tract.

Ureteral stent or “Double-J stent” is a small tube with double pigtail coil at both ends. It was invented since 1976 with tremendous benefits in urologic management. Due to its shape mimic the ureteral anatomy, 25 cm long with diameter relatively smaller than ureteral lumen, it is designed for securing the ureter anatomy whenever the function of ureter is impaired. When ureteral stent is in-place, urine will freely flow from kidney into bladder without any pain.

Una delle indicazioni più comuni per l'uso dello stent per DJ è la chirurgia postendoscopica dei calcoli.

The indications of ureteral stent:

Infezione renale grave con compromissione del trasporto delle urine
Severe kidney or ureteral injury from an accident
Dolore acuto intollerabile da calcoli
Pre-stenting before ESWL in big kidney stone
Ureteral swelling after endoscopic laser surgery

Lifetime of ureteral stent – The stent is commonly designed for use in the urinary system for 3 months. The sooner it is removed, the less chance of encrustation from calcium deposits in urine.

Stent-related symptoms – Up to 80% of patients experience stent discomfort. Common symptoms include urinary frequency (50-60%), urinary urgency (57-60%), irritation during urination (40%), incomplete emptying (76%), flank discomfort (19-32%), suprapubic discomfort (30%), and bloody urination (25%).

Good news is, all stent-related symptoms will be vanished once we remove it.

La buona notizia è che tutti i sintomi legati allo stent scompariranno una volta rimosso lo stent ureterale. Se avete domande sullo stent ureterale, potete discuterne con il vostro urologo di fiducia o sareste onorati se inviaste un messaggio a me. Ci vediamo nel prossimo articolo!

Domande frequenti

Q1: What is a ureteral (DJ) stent and why is it inserted?

A ureteral stent, commonly called a Double-J (DJ) stent, is a thin flexible tube placed inside the ureter to maintain urine flow from the kidney to the bladder. It is inserted when urine drainage is blocked or impaired due to kidney stones, ureteral injury, post-operative swelling after stone surgery, or severe kidney infections. The double pigtail design prevents the stent from migrating out of position.

Q2: How long can a ureteral stent stay in place?

A standard ureteral stent is designed to remain safely in the urinary system for up to 3 months. Leaving a stent in longer than recommended increases the risk of encrustation, where calcium deposits from urine build up on the stent surface, making removal more difficult. Your urologist will schedule stent removal as soon as it is no longer medically necessary.

Q3: Why do I have so many urinary symptoms with a ureteral stent?

Stent-related discomfort is very common, affecting up to 80% of patients. The body recognizes the stent as a foreign object and the ureter naturally tries to contract and expel it. This causes symptoms including urinary frequency, urgency, flank discomfort, and bloody urination. These symptoms are expected and are not a sign of a serious complication. All symptoms disappear once the stent is removed.

Q4: Can I go about normal daily activities with a ureteral stent?

Most patients can continue light daily activities with a ureteral stent in place. However, strenuous physical activity, heavy lifting, and intense exercise may worsen stent-related discomfort. Your urologist may prescribe medications to reduce bladder spasms and urinary urgency to improve your comfort during the stenting period. Always follow your urologist’s specific activity recommendations.

Q5: How is a ureteral stent removed?

A ureteral stent is typically removed using a flexible cystoscope inserted through the urethra under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Some stents have a retrieval string attached that extends through the urethra, allowing removal without a cystoscope. Stent removal is generally quick and straightforward, with immediate resolution of stent-related symptoms afterward.

If you have questions about your ureteral stent or are experiencing concerning symptoms, Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone offers specialist consultations at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. Prenota una consulenza.

Disclaimer: Questo contenuto è redatto e revisionato dal Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone, urologo certificato presso il Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. È inteso solo a scopo educativo e non costituisce consulenza medica. Consultare sempre un professionista sanitario qualificato prima di iniziare qualsiasi trattamento medico.

Scritto e revisionato dal punto di vista medico da: Dr. Soarawee Weerasopon (Dr. Pom) – Urologo specialista, Ospedale Bangkok Sede Centrale. Fellowship Internazionali: Baylor College of Medicine (USA) · Juntendo University (Giappone) · Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan).

Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone

Il Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone (Dr. Pom) è un urologo certificato presso la sede centrale dell'Ospedale di Bangkok, specializzato in Salute maschile, Chirurgia robotica (sistema Da Vinci) e trattamento dei calcoli renali. Ha completato borse di studio internazionali presso il Baylor College of Medicine (USA), il Juntendo University Hospital (Giappone) e il Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan). Tutti i contenuti medici di questo sito sono scritti e revisionati dal Dr. Soarawee sulla base della sua esperienza clinica e formazione internazionale.

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