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Ureteroscopy and Laser Lithotripsy

Ureteroscopy involves putting a small scope into your ureter (the passage from the bladder to the kidney) through the bladder.  This procedure is done to remove and break up urinary stones.  It is usually performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia.  Because the handling of the ureter can cause swelling, a very small tube (ureteral stent) may be left in place for several days.  A stent is a small hollow tube which is placed from the kidney to the bladder to keep urine flowing.  You may need to return to the doctor’s office to have the stent removed.  This is usually an outpatient procedure.

 

The Day before Surgery

 

  • Eat a light breakfast and lunch.
  • Drink only clear liquids after lunch up to midnight (there is no limit on how much you may drink)

      Examples of clear liquids:

  • Water
  • Broth
  • Juice without pulp (apple, cranberry, grape)
  • Popsicles
  • Hard candy
  • Clear Jello (no fruit, etc in it)
  • Carbonated beverages or clear sodas
  • Weak coffee or tea without milk or cream, you may have sugar or sugar substitute
  • No alcoholic beverages allowed
  • No dairy products of any kind

 

  • At 2:00 pm drink 10 oz. of Magnesium Citrate.  You can buy this at any pharmacy without a prescription.  You may find it is easier to drink when it is chilled.

 

  • In the evening, drink 1 liter of a sports-type beverage (Gatorade®).  It must contain electrolytes.  You may have any flavor.

 

Discharge Instructions Following the Procedure

 

Diet

  • Resume your usual eating habits.
  • Drink at least 6-8 (8 oz) glasses of fluid daily.  If you have urinary frequency, decrease your fluid intake after dinner.

Activity

  • You may shower or bathe daily.
  • Avoid strenuous activity and exercise until you receive permission from your doctor during your first office visit following surgery.
  • You may resume stair climbing and walking.
  • You may resume sexual relations.

.

 

Medicine

  • If an antibiotic is prescribed, take all of it.
  • Pain medicine will be prescribed for you.  Be sure to follow the instructions for taking the medicine.

 

Urination

  • You may have been discharged with a ureteral stent.  This tube was placed to help the passage of stone pieces.  It may cause you to feel like you have to urinate often or may cause a burning sensation in the bladder.  These feelings will lessen with time.  You may also continue to have blood in your urine.

 

Follow-Up Care

 

You will have a follow-up appointment.  If you have a stent, it is very important that you not miss or delay your follow-up visit.

 

When to Call the Doctor

 

Call the doctor if you notice any of the following signs:

  • Unable to pass urine
  • Large blood clots in the urine
  • Severe pain not relieved by pain medicine
  • Cloudy or foul smelling urine
  • Red or bloody urine after 3 days
  • Fever over 100.5° F by mouth.

 

Your urologist____________________________

 

Phone Numbers

 

Urology Clinic, 8-4:30, Monday to Friday:                    (608) 263-4757. 

 

After hours, nights, weekends, and holidays, call (608) 262-0486.  This is the message center.  Ask for the urology doctor on call.  Give the operator your full name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942

 

Your Medical Record Number is ________________________________



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 07/03/2009

Copyright © 04/22/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5074

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