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By Medicover Hospitals / 03 March 2022
The double J stent or DJ stent (also known as a ureteral stent) is a thin, flexible plastic tube that is temporarily placed in the ureter to help urine drain from the kidney to the bladder in the event of an obstruction. The Ureter carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder. In rare cases, both ureters can be blocked, where bilateral ureter stents are placed, one in each ureter. The stent can stay from days to weeks and even months, depending on the situation.
Normal symptoms that may be experienced when a stent is placed include
Blood in the urine
Dysuria (burning when urinating)
Urgency to urinate
Frequent urination
Spasms of the ureter or bladder
Certain symptoms are not normal when the stent is in place. These include:
Ignoring these serious symptoms could lead to fatal conclusions. Book an appointment today with our best Urologists and get treated on time.
Depending on the lifespan of the material the DJ stent is made of, it is necessary to remove the stent. In case the stent is not removed within the specified time, complications such as the formation of stones on the stent, breakage of the stent into small pieces and passage of those pieces into the urine, obstruction of the flow of urine from the kidney to the ureter, infections, bleeding and stent migration may occur. This will require ancillary surgical procedures to remove the stent.
The DJ stent is removed with the process called cystoscopy and DJ stent removal. To examine the Bladder & to place the stent a flexible fiber-optic telescope is used.
The following steps are involved for diagnosis:
Instruments are inserted through the telescope so the doctor can remove the stent.
This test is useful to find out what is causing symptoms such as blood in the urine or difficulty urinating and to check for certain bladder conditions.
It is a simple, quick, and generally, painless procedure, although some patients may experience brief discomfort.
Allows visualisation of areas that tend not to appear on X-rays or ultrasounds.
Biopsies or other minor procedures may be done at the time of the cystoscopy, after discussion with a doctor.
The procedure normally takes 5 to 10 minutes. Biopsies may take a little longer.
No special preparation is required for the procedure. One can eat and drink normally.
The patient receives the necessary documentation before admission to the operating room before the procedure.
If one needs to take time off work for this procedure, talk to the doctor.
Keep taking the usual medications.
Sterile cloths will be placed to protect from infection.
The local anaesthetic gel will be used to make the procedure more comfortable.
The cystoscope will be gently inserted into the urethra and bladder.
The bladder will be slowly filled with sterile water to make the lining of the bladder visible.
The doctor will explain the procedure while he examines the bladder and removes the stent.
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled if necessary.
One may be able to resume normal activities the next day.
DJ Stent Removal is a safe and commonly performed procedure. Side effects are generally mild. Below are some of the complications
Mild difficulty in urinating, urgency, and burning with urination are common.
The passage of blood in the urine should settle within 24-48 hours. It is more likely to occur if a biopsy is taken.
Urinary tract infection occurs rarely and should be suspected if urination difficulties do not resolve. Antibiotic treatment may be required.
Pain in the side, just below the rib cage and above the waist on both sides of the back.
Rare complications include trauma to the urinary tract, injury to the ureter, and inability to place and remove the stent.
Article Context
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What is DJ Stent?
Symptoms, when you have a DJ Stent, placed
Why should the DJ Stent be removed?
What are the types of DJ stent removal?
| Features | The DJ stent is removed with a rigid endoscope | The DJ stent is removed with the fiberoptic endoscope |
| Pain | There is mild and bearable pain. | There is only burning and slight discomfort, but no pain. |
| Position | Extraction is performed in the lithotomy position. | Extraction can be performed even in a lying position. |
| Procedure time | 10 minutes | 2 minutes |
Diagnosis and Procedure Of DJ Stent Removal
Procedure
Before
During the Procedure
After the Procedure
Risks and Complications
Frequently Asked Questions:
The DJ stent generally needs to be replaced or removed within 6 weeks to 6 months. Especially after witnessing symptoms like blood in the urination, spasms of the ureter or bladder, frequent urination, etc.
If it is not removed as recommended, it could lead to complications like encrustation, stone formation, fractures, and stent blockage.
Double J (DJ) stents are often removed under local anaesthesia using a rigid cystoscope.
Stents are used for a variety of reasons in patients with kidney stones. To help reduce the sharp pain of a stone or to allow drainage when an infection is preventing a kidney from working properly.
The cost of ureteral stent placement varies between Rs 23,625 to Rs 1,50,000
The immediate collapse of the stent can be caused by vascular spasm and elastic recoil of the vessel.
Most patients reported moderate to severe pain levels with stent removal, with an average pain rating of 4.8 on a scale of 1 to 10.
The stent is removed by cystoscopy, which is an outpatient procedure that takes only a few minutes to an hour.
