The urine from a normal kidney drains through a narrow muscular tube, called the ureter, into your bladder. It is dangerous for your kidney if this tube becomes blocked, especially if there is infection present. It is possible to relieve the blockage by inserting a fine plastic tube called a stent from your kidney to your bladder. This allows urine to drain in the normal way from the kidney into the bladder.
Risks and benefits
It is a safe procedure with a quick recovery and avoids the risks of surgery. It will also prevent your kidney from being damaged permanently.
Occasionally we are unable to place a stent in your kidney in which case you may need to have surgery to overcome the blockage. Also, sometimes urine might leak around the kidney and form a collection that requires draining.
It is common to have slight bleeding. Very rarely this may become severe and may require an operation to help you. There is a small risk of infection in the kidney or around it which can be treated with antibiotics.
We will discuss all of the risks and benefits with you in detail before your procedure.
Before the procedure
You must not have any food for four hours before your procedure and no drink for two hours before your procedure. You may need to have a blood test to check that your blood will clot properly.
If you are not already in a gown, your nurse will ask you to get changed into one and then bring you to the X-ray Department on your bed.
In the X-ray Department you will be seen by a doctor, who will discuss the procedure with you before you sign a consent form.
Please ask any questions you may have as it is important that you understand what is going to happen.
During the procedure
You may already have a nephrostomy tube (tube to drain the urine from your kidney) in place. In this case, the first part of the procedure has already been done and you should be familiar with our room and staff.
In the procedure room you will lie on your stomach on a special X-ray table. You may be given some strong pain relief and sedation if this procedure causes you some discomfort, and some antibiotics (if you are not already on them) through a needle in your arm.
Your lower back will be cleaned with antiseptic fluid and you will be covered with a sterile sheet.
The doctor will give you an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the skin in your back. This will cause some stinging initially and then go numb. Throughout the procedure a nurse will be with you who will monitor your pulse and blood pressure and might give you some oxygen.
The doctor will use an ultrasound guide and X-ray to decide on the best place for inserting the catheter. The doctor will then insert this catheter into your kidney over a fine wire.
This wire will be passed through the blockage and into your bladder. The stent will be passed over this wire into place.
The stent goes inside your body and cannot be seen from the outside. Your urine should be able to pass down the stent and into your bladder.
Sometimes it might be necessary to leave a catheter in the kidney to let it drain for a few days. If left in, this catheter will be taped to your skin and attached to a drainage bag.
We will explain what is happening throughout the procedure. This procedure usually takes about an hour to complete but may take longer.
After the procedure
You will go back to the ward where your nurse will record your pulse and blood pressure, check your wound site regularly, and measure your urine.
You will stay in bed for a couple of hours until you have recovered. If you feel unwell at any time, please tell your nurse.
How long will the drainage catheter and the stent stay in?
Only your specialist doctor looking after you can answer this question. The catheter may only need to stay in for a few days. You will need to come back to the X-ray Department to have it removed. Taking the catheter out should not be painful.
The stent may stay in position for a much longer period of time depending on the nature of the blockage and whether any operation is needed.
You will be able to carry on a normal life with the stent in place.
Contact information
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Interventional Radiology Department 1st Floor, Lift Bank D
