Cystoscopy

What is cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy is a procedure to examine the inside of the bladder and urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

What are the indications for performing cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy is used to diagnose, monitor and treat situations that have an effect on the bladder and urethra.
Reasons for performing a cystosocopy include:
•Hematuria – blood in the urine
•Recurrent urine infections
•Assessing an enlarged prostate
•Monitoring and treatment of bladder tumors
•cure of stones in the bladder, urethra or kidneys

How is cystoscopy performed?

Your doctor performed the examination uses a cystoscope, this is a thin instrument with a camera on one end and a small lens and a light on the other end that is inserted into the bladder. The cyst scope is gently inserted into the urethra (water pipe), and slowly glided into the bladder. The tiny lens magnifies the inside lining of the urethra and bladder, allowing the doctor to clearly outlook any abnormalities. The bladder is filled with fluid to allow adequate examination of the lining of the bladder wall.
A rigid or a flexible cyst scope can use Rigid cystoscopy is usually performed with general anesthetics, rigid cyst scope has instrument channels which allow the use of laser fibers, biopsy forceps or diathermy to treat bladder conditions.
Flexible cyst scopes are the same size as a urinary catheter, flexible cystoscopy can be performed below sedation or local anesthetics. Inspection of the bladder and urethra with the flexible cystoscopy normally take around 5 minutes. When the flexible cystoscopy is performed under local anesthetics, as the bladder fills, you may feel some anxiety or pressure and the urge to urinate. You will be allowed empty your bladder as soon as the examination is over.

What are the risks and complications associated with cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy is usually well tolerated as a day procedure. Potential risks include:
•Bleeding: it can reason some blood in the urine for up to one week after the procedure, serious bleeding is very rare.
•Pain: you may notice a burning sensation during urinating after the procedure, but these symptoms are mild and will usually resolve after 24-48 hours
•Infection: there is a less than 5% risk of a urine infection after cystoscopy. Please let your doctors know if burning during voiding is not improving or persists after 48 hours. Drinking abundance of water following the cystoscopy will reduce the risk of having a urine illness.