What is cystoscopy?

A cystoscope is a thin tube with a camera and light at the end. During cystoscopy , the doctor inserts this tube through the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder) into the bladder so that he can view the inside of the bladder. Magnified images from the camera are displayed on a screen where your doctor can see them.

Application of cystoscopy

If you have urinary problems, such as frequent urination or a constant need to urinate or painful urination, your doctor may order a cystoscopy . Your doctor may also order this procedure to check for:

• Blood in the urine
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Overactive bladder
• hip pain

Cystoscopy can reveal several conditions, including bladder tumors, stones, or bladder cancer . Your doctor can also use this method to diagnose:

• Obstruction
• Prostate enlargement
• Non-cancerous growth
• Problems with the ureters (the tubes that connect your bladder to your kidneys)

Cystoscopy can also be used to treat underlying diseases of the bladder. Your doctor may use small surgical instruments to remove tumors and small bladder stones or to take a sample of bladder tissue.

Other uses include:

• Taking a urine sample to check for a tumor or infection
• Inserting a small tube to help urine flow
• Dye injection to diagnose kidney problems with x-rays

 

Preparation for cystoscopy

If you have a urinary tract infection or a weakened immune system, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before and after the procedure. You may also need to give a urine sample before the test. If your doctor is going to give you general anesthesia, you will feel dizzy afterwards. Also plan to take time to rest at home after the procedure.

Ask your doctor if you can continue taking your regular medications. Some medications can cause excessive bleeding during the procedure.

Anesthesia during cystoscopy

This procedure may be done in a hospital or doctor's office. You will need some form of anesthesia, so talk to your doctor about your options before the procedure. This includes:

• Local anesthesia: Outpatient procedures usually involve local anesthesia. This means you will be awake. You can eat and drink normally on the day of the operation and go home immediately after the operation.
• General anesthesia: General anesthesia means that you will be unconscious during the cystoscopy. For general anesthesia, you may need to fast several hours before the procedure.
• Regional anesthesia: Regional anesthesia involves an injection in your back. This will numb you from the waist down. You may feel a burning sensation at the injection site.

With regional or general anesthesia, you may need to stay in the hospital for several hours after the procedure.

 

Cystoscopy procedure

Just before the cystoscopy , you should go to the bathroom to empty your bladder. Then wear a surgical gown and lie on your back on the treatment table. Your legs may be open to facilitate surgery. The nurse may give you antibiotics to prevent a bladder infection .

At this point, you will be given anesthesia. If you receive general anesthesia, this will be the last thing you notice until you wake up. If you receive a local or regional anesthetic, you may also be given a sedative to help you relax. Your urethra is numbed with a numbing spray or gel. You will still feel some changes, but the gel will make the procedure less painful. The doctor lubricates the scope with gel and carefully inserts it into the urethra. It may burn a little and may feel like peeing.

Your doctor looks at your bladder through a camera. A sterile solution will also flow through your bladder. This makes it easier for your doctor to see what's going on. This liquid may make you feel uncomfortable and need to urinate.

With local anesthesia, your cystoscopy may take less than five minutes. If you are sedated or given general anesthesia, the entire procedure may take 15 to 30 minutes.

 

Possible risks of cystoscopy

It is normal to have a burning sensation during urination for two to three days after the procedure. You may need to urinate more than usual. Do not try to hold it in, as the blood in your bladder can clot and cause an obstruction.

Blood in the urine is also common after surgery, especially if you have a biopsy. Drinking plenty of water helps reduce burning and bleeding.

Some people develop more serious complications, including:

• Inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) :This is the most common complication and makes urination difficult. If you cannot urinate for more than eight hours after the procedure, call your doctor.
• Urinary tract infection :In rare cases, germs enter your urinary tract and cause an infection. Fever, strange smelling urine, nausea and back pain are all symptoms of a urinary tract infection and you may need antibiotics.
• Bleeding: Few people suffer from more serious bleeding. If this happens, call your doctor.

You should also contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

• Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
• The presence of bright red blood or tissue clots in the urine
• You cannot urinate, even if you feel the need to urinate.
• You have constant stomach ache.

Recovery after cystoscopy

Give yourself time to rest. Drink plenty of fluids and stay close to the toilet. Keeping a wet, warm cloth over the urethra can help relieve any pain. If your doctor allows you to, use pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

If you are given general anesthesia, ask someone to stay with you. After the operation, you may feel sleepy or dizzy. For the rest of the day, do not drink alcohol, drive, or operate complex machinery.

If a biopsy was done, you will need time to heal. Avoid heavy work for the next two weeks. Ask your doctor when it is safe to have sex.

Interpretation of cystoscopy test results

Your doctor may receive your results right away, or it may take several days. If you had a biopsy, you should wait for the lab results. Ask your doctor how long you should wait for the results.