Stents and catheters in percutaneous renal surgery.

Ureteral stents are commonly used either briefly or long term after percutaneous renal surgery. Most percutaneous stone procedures do not necessitate a ureteral stent, but stenting is advisable if there has been extensive trauma, perforation, or ureteropelvic junction obstruction by a large calculus. Stenting after endopyelotomy is routine, and the author has found it helpful to insert a 5F to 7F stent for 5 to 7 days preoperatively to dilate the ureter. The author reviews the available nephrostomy tubes and nephrostomy-ureteral stents, including the tamponade catheter.