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Cystoscopy is a procedure that helps to examine the inside lining of the bladder, as well as the urethra. Cystoscopy is done through insertion of a hollow tube (cystoscope) that has a lens at the end, and this hollow tube is inserted and advanced slowly into the urethra and eventually into the bladder.
This procedure is mostly an outpatient procedure, done under local anesthetic jelly for numbing, however, it can also be performed in the hospital under general anesthesia, as per the advice of urologist in Lahore.
What is the procedure of cystoscopy?
Before the procedure
You may be asked by your healthcare provider to take prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection. You may also be asked to give a urine sample, so be sure to wait before emptying the bladder.
During the procedure
A simple outpatient procedure can take only 15 minutes, while an in-patient cystoscopy can take up to half-hour.
You will be asked to lie on the table on your back, with knees bent. Depending on your healthcare provider, and the expected length of procedure, you may or may not receive a sedative. If you are put under general anesthesia, you will not feel anything. Sedated patient would be relaxed, and sleepy but still aware.
An anesthetic numbing tube would be applied to the urethra to minimize the discomfort; a few minutes after that a tube of the smallest cystoscope would be inserted gently into the urethra. Larger scopes are reserved for taking tissue samples.
As soon as the scope enters the urethra and the bladder, an image forms on the screen, through the lens at the end of the scope, which shows the inside of the organ. The lens can help to magnify the inner surfaces. Additionally, a sterile solution may be irrigated inside your bladder to help the doctor get a better look inside. At this point, you may get an urge to urinate, which you will be encouraged to do after the procedure.
Once the images are taken, your doctor might also choose to take biopsy samples from the inside of the bladder, or do other procedures as needed.
After the procedure
If you were under general anesthesia, you will remain in the recovery area, to allow the effect of the drugs to wear off. If you underwent an out-patient procedure though, you can resume your activities of daily living.
Some side effects of the procedure may be experienced, like bleeding from the urethra, or burning sensation during urinating. An increase in the frequency of urination can also be experienced. To alleviate the discomfort, you can put a warm washcloth over the urethral opening to relieve the pain. Drinking plenty of water, and subsequently urinating can flush out the bladder and decrease the irritation. For the first couple of hours post procedure, drink at least 16 ounces of water per hour.
The results of the procedure should be available quite soon and would be discussed by your urologist (in Karachi), unless a biopsy was taken, in which case the results are available in a few days.
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