Page 1 - Cystoscopy

Urological Health

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy allows the visual examination of the bladder and its outlet as part of the
investigation

he investigation of urinary tract problems often filled with sterile water and special lenses are used
Trequires visual examination of the bladder and to examine every part of its lining. The prostate and
its drainage system. This examination is called a urethra are also examined, if appropriate.
cystoscopy.
The entire examination normally takes no more than
Cystoscopy may be performed in your urologist’s a few minutes and you should be able to resume
examination room or at your local hospital. The your usual activities immediately, unless an anesthetic
location, date and time of the cystoscopy will be is required. In this case, you will be monitored until
specified so that you can make any necessary your anesthetic has worn off completely. The use
arrangements. of an anesthetic requires that you arrange to be
driven home due to its potential prolonged sedating
The examination effects. You should be able to resume all of your usual
activities by the next day.
On the day of your examination you may be asked
to undress and put on a gown. A nurse will ask
you a few questions and explain the examination The male and female urinary tracts
procedure. At the appropriate time, you will be taken
to an Examination Room where you will lie down
on a special bed. Your legs may be elevated and kidney
supported in stirrups.

Cystoscopy is performed using sterile technique. This
means that care is taken to prevent any bacteria from ureters
entering the bladder and causing infection. Before
the examination begins, an antiseptic solution is used
to clean the genital area, which is then covered with
a sterile sheet.

Local anesthetic – “freezing jelly” – may be applied to
the urinary passage (urethra) to numb its lining. During bladder
the cystoscopy, you will be awake and may feel
something, but any discomfort should be tolerable. urethra
Front view
If additional tests are planned, your urologist may
recommend that you receive an anesthetic. In these bladder uterus
cases, another specialist doctor, the anesthesiologist, prostate bladder
will explain how you will be kept comfortable with urethra Roula Drossis
sedation or by being “put to sleep.” You will be asked urethra
not to eat or drink anything for a number of hours
before your cystoscopy if an anesthetic is to be used. Male side view Female side view

Cystoscopy is performed by passing a narrow tube
(the cystoscope) through the urinary opening, along
the urethra into the bladder. It is important that you Continued on next page
relax during the examination. The bladder is then