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Urological health

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy lets your urologist see into your bladder and its opening to examine and treat
different problems that affect the urinary tract.

What is cystoscopy? The male and female urinary tracts

• If it is necessary to see inside your bladder and urinary
tract, your urologist will do an examination called kidney
cystoscopy.

• Your urinary tract is the system that removes urine
from your body. (See diagram: The male and female ureters
urinary tracts)

• A tool like a small camera on a Roula Drossis
thin tube (called a cystoscope)
is used to see inside your
bladder and the urinary tract.

• Cystoscopy can be done in your bladder
urologist’s office or in hospital Cystoscope urethra
Front view
• You will be told where the exam will be done, the
date and time. bladder uterus

• You will need to plan for a ride home if you have a prostate bladder
general anesthetic. (See section “What happens urethra urethra
after cystoscopy?”)
Male side view Female side view
What happens before the cystoscopy?
• During the cystoscopy, although you will be awake
• On the day of your examination, you may be asked and may feel something, any discomfort should be
to undress and put on a hospital gown. manageable.
• You will be asked a few questions and be told about • Your anesthesiologist will explain your options:
the examination. – A “local” anesthetic (“freezing jelly”) is put into your
urethra to numb its lining – most often used in
• When all is ready, you will be taken to a room to lie simple cystoscopies
down on a special bed.
– A light sedation (feeling very relaxed but awake)
• Your legs may be lifted and put into stirrups.
– general anesthetic (being “put to sleep”)
• For the cystoscopy, everything is thoroughly cleaned
to stop any bacteria from getting into the bladder • If extra tests are planned for the cystoscopy, your
and causing infection. urologist may recommend either light sedation or
general anesthetic.
• Before the examination begins, a sterilized mixture is
used to clean the genital area, which is then covered • For a general anesthetic, you will be asked not to eat
with a sterilzed sheet. or drink anything for a few hours before your
procedure.

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