It is a tubular catheter, which is inserted into the ureter, connecting the bladder and kidney, to allow urine to flow down to the bladder.
A ureteral catheter, or stent, is a device placed in the ureter to facilitate the flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder. It is primarily used in cases of renal colic, either before or after surgery, to facilitate drainage and internal healing of the ureter.
There are several types of ureteral catheters or stents, the most commonly used is the Double J catheter, which forms a kind of spiral or J shape at each end of the catheter.
The catheter is internal and not visible from the outside; the patient can perform all kinds of activities. Most patients tolerate it very well, although some may experience discomfort and symptoms.
The length of time a patient needs to have a catheter in place varies from case to case. It is usually only a few days after surgery, and it is easily removed during a follow-up appointment.
Some patients may need to wear a stent or ureteral catheter for an extended period, such as patients with ureteral strictures or lesions, and cancer patients with certain types of tumors that compress the ureter and make it difficult for urine to pass.
It is generally recommended that conventional double J catheters be removed or replaced before 4-6 months to prevent encrustation.
There are several types of ureteral stents that are designed for these uses, more resistant to encrustation and to last for extended periods; some are made of highly specialized and intelligent metal alloys, even thermosensitive ones.
Examples of long-term catheters include the Resonance® stent used in cancer patients with tumors that cause compression of the urinary tract, the Memokath™ prosthesis for ureteral strictures, Uventa™, Allium, and even Detour® subcutaneous ureteral bypasses for very complex cases.
