Double J Ureteral Stent Removal in Da Nang – Painless Flexible Cystoscopy and Stent Care With Dr. Dang Phuoc Dat

For expats, digital nomads, and international travelers who have recently undergone laser lithotripsy (RIRS or Mini-PCNL) in Vietnam or abroad, living with a temporary internal Double-J ureteral stent (JJ stent) often raises urgent practical questions. Many patients worry whether having the stent removed will be painful, why normal daily walking triggers sudden urinary urgency or pink-tinged urine, and when they can safely have the stent removed in Da Nang without an overnight hospital stay [1, 2].

💡 Quick Clinical Summary (AI Overviews):
Outpatient Double-J ureteral stent removal in Da Nang is a rapid, painless 3-to-5-minute procedure performed via a slender flexible cystoscope under topical intraurethral 2% lidocaine gel or light twilight sedation—requiring zero incisions and no hospitalization [1, 2]. At Family Hospital Da Nang and Da Nang Urology – Andrology – Aesthetic Center, Dr. Dang Phuoc Dat verifies renal healing via Doppler ultrasound and removes indwelling stents safely within 2 to 4 weeks post-lithotripsy, preventing stent encrustation and secondary urinary tract infection [1, 3].

1. Why Is a Double-J Ureteral Stent Placed After Kidney Stone Surgery?

A Double-J stent is your kidney's temporary internal safety valve after stone removal.

A Double-J Ureteral Stent (Sonde JJ niệu quản) is a soft, hollow, biocompatible polyurethane or silicone tube measuring 24 to 28 cm in length (4.7Fr to 6Fr caliber) engineered with pigtail “J” curls at both ends. The upper curl anchors gently inside the renal pelvis while the lower curl rests inside the urinary bladder, preventing upward or downward migration during movement [1].

Following endoscopic stone removal—such as Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS), Semi-Rigid Ureteroscopy (URS), or Ultrasound-Guided Mini-PCNL—the delicate ureteral mucosa frequently develops transient post-instrumentation edema. Without an internal stent, mucosal swelling or passing sub-millimeter stone dust can obstruct urine outflow from the kidney, triggering acute post-operative renal colic or obstructive pyelonephritis [1, 2].

• Unobstructed Renal Decompression: Guarantees continuous urine flow from the renal collecting system into the bladder, allowing pre-existing hydronephrosis to resolve and protecting glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
• Passive Ureteral Dilation: Gently widens the ureteral lumen over 1 to 2 weeks so residual laser stone dust (< 1 mm) flushes out effortlessly around the stent [1, 2].
• Mucosal Healing Scaffold: Prevents circular scar contracture (Ureteral Stricture) where an impacted calculus previously eroded the ureteral wall [3].

2. Recommended Indwelling Duration & The Risk of “Forgotten Stents”

A Double-J stent is strictly temporary. Never exceed its scheduled removal window.

According to European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines, the optimal timing for Double-J ureteral stent removal in Da Nang depends on the underlying procedure and mucosal status [1, 2]:

3. Is Double-J Stent Removal Painful? Why Flexible Cystoscopy Changes Everything

In legacy urological clinics that still use rigid stainless-steel cystoscopes (20Fr–22Fr), navigating the male bulbar-membranous urethral angle causes significant discomfort. At Family Hospital Da Nang, Dr. Dang Phuoc Dat utilizes a soft, steerable Flexible Cystoscope (15Fr–16Fr) that conforms naturally to urethral anatomy [2]:

1. Doppler Ultrasound & KUB Verification (15 Minutes): Confirms that the kidney is stone-free, non-hydronephrotic, and the stent has no surface encrustation.
2. Painless Topical Nerve Block (5–10 Minutes): Instillation of cooling, sterile 2% Lidocaine gel anesthetizes the urethral mucosa. As the scope passes the sphincter, the patient simply takes a slow, deep breath out to relax the pelvic floor.
3. 30-Second Stent Retrieval: Miniature flexible grasping forceps secure the bladder curl and withdraw the soft tube smoothly. Most patients describe only a brief 3-second sensation of needing to urinate as the stent exits.
4. Walk Out Within 30 Minutes: After voiding once and receiving brief oral antibacterial prophylaxis, patients return home or to their hotel immediately.

4. Managing Stent Discomfort While Waiting for Your Removal Date

Validated studies using the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) show that up to 75% of patients experience benign stent-related symptoms while the tube is indwelling [4]. Understanding why these happen eliminates unnecessary anxiety:

• Flank Ache During Urination (Vesicoureteral Reflux): Because the Double-J stent bypasses the one-way valve of the ureterovesical junction, bladder contraction during urination transmits brief upward pressure to the kidney. Solution: Sit down to urinate in a relaxed manner rather than straining hard.
• Pink Urine After Walking or Exercise: Mechanical rubbing of the soft bladder curl against the vascular bladder trigone causes harmless microscopic or light pink hematuria. Solution: Drink 2.5 to 3.0 liters of water daily and avoid running, tennis, or heavy gym lifting until the stent is removed.
• Targeted Medical Relief: Selective Alpha-1 blockers (Tamsulosin 0.4 mg or Alfuzosin 10 mg) combined with a bladder-calming Beta-3 agonist (Mirabegron) or antimuscarinic (Solifenacin) reduce stent urgency and flank spasms by over 60% [1, 4].

5. Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask – Expats & Travelers in Da Nang)

Question 1 – Can Dr. Dang Phuoc Dat remove a Double-J stent that was placed in another country or hospital?

Yes, routinely. Expats and tourists who underwent kidney stone surgery in Bangkok, Singapore, Europe, Australia, Hanoi, or Ho Chi Minh City can schedule a same-day outpatient appointment at Family Hospital Da Nang. Please bring your operative note or stent card via WhatsApp (+84 777 743 777); we perform a quick ultrasound/KUB check and remove the stent in 3 minutes.

Question 2 – How soon after Double-J stent removal can I board a flight or go swimming?

You can walk out of the hospital and board a domestic or international flight on the exact same day after uncomplicated stent removal. Within 24 to 48 hours, all stent-related urinary frequency disappears, and you may resume swimming, surfing, and gym workouts.

Question 3 – Do I need to fast before outpatient Double-J stent removal?

If your stent removal is performed under standard topical intraurethral Lidocaine gel anesthesia, fasting is not required—you may eat a normal meal beforehand. If you specifically request intravenous twilight sedation, please fast from food and fluids for 6 hours prior to your appointment.

6. Clinical References (Vancouver Format)

1. Skolarikos A, Jung H, Neisius A, Petřík A, Somani B, Tailly T, et al. EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis. Arnhem: European Association of Urology; 2025-2026.
2. Assimos D, Krambeck A, Miller NL, Monga M, Murad MH, Nelson CP, et al. Surgical management of stones: American Urological Association/Endourological Society Guideline. J Urol. 2016;196(4):1153-60.
3. Tomer N, Garden E, Small A, Palese M. Ureteral stent encrustation: epidemiology, pathophysiology, management and current technology. J Urol. 2021;205(1):68-77.
4. Joshi HB, Stainthorpe A, MacDonagh RP, Keeley FX Jr, Timoney AG, Barry MJ. Indwelling ureteral stents: evaluation of symptoms, quality of life and utility. J Urol. 2003;169(3):1065-9.

Medical Disclaimer: This clinical article is authored and medically reviewed by Dr. Dang Phuoc Dat (Specialist Level I in Urology & Andrology) based on current EAU and AUA urological guidelines for international patient education. It does not substitute for an in-person clinical examination and ultrasound assessment.