Ureteroscopic Kidney Stone Removal

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Ureteroscopy (u-re-ter-OS-kah-pee) is a procedure done to remove kidney stones. Kidney stones are also called renal calculi. Kidney stones are rock-like pieces that can form anywhere in the urinary system. This includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra (urine tubes). Your kidneys clean waste from the blood and make urine. The stone may be large or small. You may have more than one stone. Ureteroscopy is used when the stone is in the middle or lower part of the ureter. The ureters are the tubes that go from your kidney to your bladder where urine is stored, before it is passed out of your body. Ask caregivers for more information about kidney stones and ways to treat them.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• If a medicine makes you drowsy: Some medicines may make you drowsy (tired) or less able to think clearly. Avoid driving, signing legal papers, operating heavy equipment or other activities that you must be alert to do. Never drink alcohol while you are taking medicines that make you feel drowsy or less alert.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.
  
  
• You may be given medicine to prevent more kidney stones from forming.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

How should I take care of myself at home?

• Rest: You may feel like resting more after your surgery. Have family or friends help you with day-to-day activities. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Ask caregivers how much liquid you should drink each day. It is very important to drink a lot of liquid after having a ureteroscopy. This helps clean out any remaining small pieces of stone. Fluids can also help prevent more kidney stones from forming. Drink liquids throughout the day. Drink liquids in the evening to make sure your body makes urine through the night. Unless caregivers tell you otherwise, drink as much water as possible. Limit the amount of caffeine you drink. Caffeine may be found in coffee, tea, soda, and sports drinks and foods.
  
  
• Strain your urine every time you go to the bathroom: This will catch the stone pieces as they pass in your urine. Urinate through a special strainer or through a piece of thin cloth to catch the stone. You may find it easier to urinate into a glass jar. By doing this you will be able to see the stones at the bottom of the jar. Take the stones to your caregivers so they can see them. The stones will be sent to the lab for tests to learn what they are made of. This will help caregivers plan your treatment and help prevent more kidney stones.
  
  
• Bowel movements: Exercise such as walking can help you have regular bowel movements. Including foods such as fruit, bran, and prune juice, and drinking enough water can also help. Caregivers may give you fiber medicine or a stool softener to help make your BMs softer and more regular.
  
  
• Eat a healthy diet: Eat healthy foods from all of the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. Caregivers may suggest different ways to eat depending on what type of stone you had. This may help to decrease the chance of getting more stones. It can take time getting used to a new diet. Special cook books may help the cook in the family find new recipes. Talk with your caregiver before changing your diet because there are different causes of kidney stones.
  
  
• Stent: You may have a stent (small bendable tube) placed in one of your ureters. The ureters are the tubes that take urine from your kidneys to your bladder. The stent may help the broken pieces of stone pass and help the lining of the ureter heal.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot urinate.
  
  
• You have an increasing amount of blood in your urine.
  
  
• You are taking pain medicine, but still feel a lot of pain.
  
  
• You start having more pain.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about kidney stones, procedures to remove them, or your medicines.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• You have chest pain.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have trouble thinking clearly.
  
  
• You have a lot of vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You begin to urinate bright red blood or blood clots.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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