Cystoscopy

A cystoscopy is an examination of the inside of the bladder and urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.A cystoscopy is performed as a Day Stay procedure under general anaesthesia.

Dr Cook will use a cystoscope. This is a long, thin instrument with a camera on one end and a tiny lens and a light on the other end that is inserted into the bladder.

Dr Cook inserts the cystoscope into the patient’s urethra and the small lens magnifies the inner lining of the urethra and bladder allowing the Dr Cook to see inside the bladder. Many cystoscopes have extra channels within the sheath to insert other small instruments that can be used to treat perform procedures including taking a biopsy or removing a polyps.

Why have a Cystoscopy?

Dr Cook may perform a cystoscopy to find the cause of many urinary conditions, including:

• Frequent urinary tract infections

• Frequent and urgent need to urinate

• Painful urination, chronic pelvic pain, or interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

People scheduled for a cystoscopy should ask Dr Cook about any special instructions.

Cystoscopy Procedure

Dr Cook gently inserts the tip of the cystoscope into the urethra and slowly glides it up into the bladder. A sterile liquid salt water called saline flows through a channel in the scope to slowly fill the bladder and stretch it so Dr Cook has a better view of the bladder wall.

There is good evidence that cysto distention (filling the bladder with normal saline and holding the volume for one minute) can alleviate the symptoms of urinary urgency (detrusor overactivity).

The bladder is viewed under direct vision during the deflation procedure to check for pettichial haemorrhages which can be associated with interstitial cystitis.

Possible risks of a cystoscopy include:

• Infection

• Bleeding