Stenting for Ureteral Stricture

A ureteral stricture can block or narrow the ureter, making it difficult to pass urine from the affected kidney. To help open the passage and prevent it from narrowing, NYU Langone physicians can perform stenting.

In this procedure, doctors place a small, hollow plastic or metal device called a stent into the ureter. This allows urine to flow through the ureter more easily.

A stent is inserted during a short, outpatient procedure that requires sedation or regional anesthesia. Lifelong maintenance is required—stents need to be replaced every six months to year. Stenting is typically a temporary treatment that is used in people who cannot have surgery to reconstruct the ureter.

Whenever possible, NYU Langone doctors prefer to correct the ureteral stricture using surgery, preventing the need to maintain a stent.