Treatment

Introduction

Ureters convery the urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Patients with ureteral stones will present with renal colic or dull loin pain; if the problem is serious, renal function will be impaired. Therefore, surgical intervention is necessary. 

Preparation

• Fasting for 6 hours prior to procedures performed under general anaesthesia
• A written consent is required 

Procedure

• Ureteroscoped is passed through the urethra and urinary bladder up to the ureter under X-ray guidance
• The ureteral stones can be disintegrated by laser or ultrasound into small pieces, which can then be passed out along with urine
• The stones can be extracted with instruments
• Internal ureteral stents will be placed to facilitate healing and ensure drainage if necessary
• The stent will be removed with cystoscope a few weeks after the operation under local anaesthesia

Care and Advice

• After general anaesthesia, you may feel tired, dizzy or weak. You will rest and be observed in our centre for a few hours until you are fit to go home 
• Saty at home for at least 14 hours. a mature adult should accompany you for the first 24 hours, You must avoid: 

        - Driving, cooking or operating a motorized vehicle or equipment

        - Taking alcoholic drinks or sedatives

        - Signing any legal document or making important decisions

• You may have sore throat, headache, vomiting or bruises a the puncture site occasionally. They will subside after a few days
• Take painkillers as prescribed
• Patients may have loin pain or burning sensation during micturition. Sometimes the urine may turn red, or it may contain blood clots or small pieces of broken stones. These will disappear in a few days
• During the first 2 days, drink a lot of water (2-3 Litre per day) to facilitate urination. Avoid coffee, tea, coke or alcoholic beverages

Follow up  

• Follow up as scheduled

Complications

You have to attend the Accident and Emergency Department of a hospital if you have any of the following complications

• Severe pain despite taking the pain killer
• Difficult to or cannot pass urine
• Continue passing blood clots and blood in urine 2 days after operation
• Fever (Body temperature above 38℃ or 100°F)

Illustration by @bowlful.of.rice