Expert: Dawn Caceres - 5/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dawn -
I hoping you can help me with a concern following my recent hysterectomy.  I
had an LSH with left ovary removed 5/5/08, due to several years of pelvic
pain.  In the past I have been diagnosed with pelvic congestion and interstitial
cystitis.  The purpose of the surgery was to try to alleviate some of the pain,
as nothing else as worked.  I saw the surgeon for my post-op and he said
everything was great (though I still have a significant amount of pain - but
tests have ruled out infections so I assume that's part of the natural healing
process).  To my question - I recently received a notice from my insurance
company regarding the "urethral stent."  I knew nothing about this, so I called
my doctor's office and they said that this was done along with the
hysterectomy.  I asked if it was just temporary for the surgery, or if it was
still in there.  She said it was still there, and that was the end of the story.  
Why was a stent put in?  Why didn't anyone say anything to me about this?  
Does it need to come out at some point?  Having been diagnosed with IC, I'm
concerned that this might cause even more problems with  my bladder.  Any
info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance -

ANSWER: Dear Sara,

I will speak to you in layman terms and not use medical jargon if you care to speak to this in more specific detail then you'll need to make an appointment with your surgeon and ask them.

There are times when surgeons perform a surgery that they need to protect the areas being worked on with stents. The abdomen has many different organs within it and most have tubes and connecting parts that are very small in size. The kidneys and ureters and urethra are one such system. It is very important that the small tubes be protected so that you can continue to urinate properly. The surgeon was working in this area and protected the system by placing a stent. After surgery sometimes the stents (you have tubes on the left and right sides) are left in place and sometimes they are removed.

Typically, it isn't going to cause you harm to have them left in place. A surgeon would choose to do the best for you in the surgery and wouldn't choose to purposefully try to cause you harm. I hope you are comforted by this and can feel that you were treated in a great way. I understand that you would have liked to know of this in advance but sometimes these types of routine measures aren't discussed with patients and I do not know why.

Please feel free to contact me again if you have any further questions or concerns,

I wish you a speedy recovery!!
Dawn Caceres

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks - that does put my mind at ease.  

I do have a few follow up questions - first, from your response, it sounds like
the stent is different from the catheter?  I was trying to do some of my own
research and the two terms often seem to be used interchangeably.  

Second, why would they leave the stent in place?  

Finally, is there any chance this might cause some bladder pain?  I have been
having quite a bit (of bladder pain) lately - could be IC pains, but I haven't
had those for awhile. I wondered if the stent could be irritating my already
sensitive bladder.

I greatly appreciate the info you have provided so far - being that the doc's
office is closed until Monday, it is nice to have some peace regarding this
matter.

Answer
Dear Sara,

MY ANSWERS ARE IN CAPS>>>


Thanks - that does put my mind at ease. I do have a few follow up questions - first, from your response, it sounds like the stent is different from the catheter? IT IS DIFFERENT...THE STENT IS PLACED INSIDE YOUR ABDOMINAL CAVITY DURING SURGERY AND THE FUNCTION IS TO PROTECT THE URINARY TUBES AND ALLOW THE SYSTEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CATHETER IS INSERTED INTO YOUR URETHRA AND IT ALLOWS URINE TO PASS FROM THE BLADDER.I was trying to do some of my own research and the two terms often seem to be used interchangeablyTHIS IS NOT SO, ONE IS USED TO KEEP THE URINE FLOWING FREELY AND ISN'T A SURGICAL INTERVENTION (CATHETER) AND THE OTHER IS DONE DURING THE SURGERIES (STENT). Second, why would they leave the stent in place?THERE ARE SO MANY REASONs WHY IT COULD BE KEPT IN PLACE THE SURGEON IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS FOR YOU, IN YOUR CASE. Finally, is there any chance this might cause some bladder pain?UNLIKELY ...MY GUESS IS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME SYMPTOMS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE SURGERY FOR WHATEVER REASON AND THIS IS WHAT YOU NEEDED IN ORDER FOR YOU TO HEAL I have been having quite a bit (of bladder pain) lately - could be IC pains, but I haven't had those for awhile. I wondered if the stent could be irritating my already sensitive bladder.I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE STENT THAT THE SYMPTOMS YOU MENTION MIGHT BE WORSE, THE STENT IS PROBABLY HELPING YOU MORE THAN YOU'D EVER GUESS.IT'S FUNCTION IS TO ASSIST THE PASSAGE OF FLUIDS IN AN AREA THAT WOULD OTHERWISE NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I greatly appreciate the info you have provided so far - being that the doc's office is closed until Monday, it is nice to have some peace regarding this matter.

AGAIN IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ...I AM HERE

GOOD LUCK!!!
Dawn Caceres