Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to look at the inside of your bladder and urethra. It’s done using a thin, lighted tube called a Cystoscope. A Cystoscopy can reveal several conditions, including bladder tumors, stones, or cancer. Your doctor can also use this procedure to diagnose. Your doctor might order this test if you have urinary problems, such as a constant need to urinate or if you find urination painful. Your doctor might also order the procedure to investigate reasons for blood in your urine, frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), an overactive bladder, or pelvic pain.

Before the Procedure

Always tell your health care provider or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.

During the days before the surgery:

• You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.
• Ask your health care provider which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.

On the day of your surgery:

• You very often will be asked not to drink or eat anything for 6 – 12 hours before the surgery.
• Take the drugs your health care provider told you to take with a small sip of water.

Your health care provider or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital

Cystoscopy Procedure

At this point, you’ll be given anesthesia. If you get general anesthesia, this will be all that you are conscious of until you wake up. If you’re getting a local or regional anesthetic, you may be given a sedative to relax you. Your urethra will be numbed with an anesthetic spray or gel. You’ll still feel some sensations, but the gel makes the procedure less painful. The doctor will lubricate the scope with gel and carefully insert it into the urethra. This may burn slightly, and it may feel like urinating. If the procedure is investigatory, your doctor will use a flexible scope. Biopsies or other surgical procedures require a slightly thicker rigid scope. The bigger scope allows surgical instruments to pass through it. Your doctor looks through a lens as the scope enters your bladder. A sterile solution will flow through to flood your bladder. This makes it easier for your doctor to see what’s going on. The fluid might give you an uncomfortable feeling of needing to urinate. With local anesthetic, your cystoscopy may take less than five minutes. If you’re sedated or given general anesthesia Cystoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to look at the inside of your bladder and urethra. It’s done using a thin, lighted tube called a cystoscopesia; the entire procedure may take 15 to 30 minutes.

After A Cystoscopy Procedure

The day after the test, you may feel tired and have a slight backache.

Most people report that this test is not nearly as uncomfortable as they thought it would be.

After the test, you may need to urinate often. You may have some burning during and after urination for a day or two. It may help to drink lots of fluids. This also helps prevent a urinary tract infection.

Slightly pink urine is common for several days after the test, especially if a biopsy was performed.

Risks

As with any surgery there are risks, however Cystoscopy carries the lowest risks of complications:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swollen urethra (urethritis):urination difficult
• puncture of the urethra or bladder
• Rare risks include:

Blood clot in the legs or lungs

Complications from anesthesia

Talk with your doctor to understand possible risks and benefits of surgery.