Most patients are understandably afraid of cystoscopy. Who could not be afraid of a thick, hard metal sheath being inserted through the delicate urethra? The cold, sharp-edged sheath is bound to cause pain and bleeding due to friction as it passes through the urethra, and some patients experience bladder spasms, making it difficult to perform the exam. In severe cases, cardiovascular accidents can even be induced, threatening the patient’s life.
Cystoscopy is an important tool in the diagnosis of diseases in urology and has an irreplaceable role in the diagnosis of bladder tumors, bladder stones, bladder diverticula, cystitis and other diseases. To reduce the pain of patients, scientists have developed a fiberoptic cystoscope (flexible mirror), which makes cystoscopy less painful. The Man Lipo fiberoptic cystoscope in the Department of Urology at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital is not only slim and soft, but also has an unusually smooth surface due to its hydrophilic coating. Patients who undergo a soft cystoscopy do not enjoy it, but the pain is almost non-existent. Patients who are mentally competent can also “enjoy” the “view” of the bladder with their doctor.
Fiberoptic cystoscopy can be performed in the lying position, or in the lithotomy position for patients who cannot be examined due to fractures or deformities of the lower extremities. More importantly, the fiberoptic cystoscope does not have any “blind spots” as the lens can freely enter the bladder diverticulum and even rotate 180 degrees to directly observe the bladder neck, making it difficult to escape from any lesions in the bladder or urethra. The ability to see and diagnose with multiple doctors is also one of the advantages of flexible cystoscopy.