How long can a urinary stent be left in for?

Urinary Stent Change: For most patients, a ureteral stent placement temporarily relieves obstruction or the potential for blockage by stone, swelling or blood. In most cases they are removed in 3-7 days (stones), 4-6 weeks (ureteral surgery). Some are placed indefinitely for problems such as scarring in the ureter or cancer. Those stents can stay 3-12 months, depending on how encrusted (stone covered) the stent gets.