Cystoscopy is a procedure in which the physician looks at lesions in the urethra and bladder through a special illuminated lens device like a telescope or microscope, but more slender, and depending on the circumstances of the examination, the physician may also perform tissue sampling biopsies or other treatments (such as lithotripsy and retrograde intubation) through the operating channel of the cystoscope.
I. Indications for examination: Your doctor may recommend cystoscopy when any of the following problems occur: 1. Recurrent urinary tract infections, or refractory urinary tract infections.
2, Unexplained hematuria.
3, Loss of urinary control (urinary incontinence) or overactive bladder disorder.
4.Unusual cells found in the urine.
5.Urinary pain, chronic pelvic pain.
6, Difficulty in urination, urinary obstruction.
7.Urinary stones, prostate enlargement, bladder tumor.
8.Removal of foreign body in the bladder.
9.When ultrasonic examination, X-ray examination, intravenous urography examination cannot show and diagnose urinary tract lesions well.
II. What preparation is needed?
Ask your doctor carefully for any special instructions before the examination: 1. Inform your doctor of your history of drug allergies (including anesthetic allergies), history of bleeding disorders, whether you are taking anticoagulant medications (such as aspirin, warfarin, etc.), whether you are pregnant, etc.
2. Depending on the situation, the examination may need to be performed under local anesthesia, spinal cavity anesthesia or general anesthesia. If local anesthesia is used, you can eat (drink) normally before the examination. If spinal cavity anesthesia or general anesthesia is used, it is required to fast (drink) at least 8 hours before the examination.
3.Before the examination, it is better to empty the bladder and urine in advance.
4.The doctor may prescribe antibiotics for you to take before the test to prevent possible urinary tract infection caused by this test.
5.This test is generally very safe and will not affect sexual function, but it is still invasive and invasive. You will need to sign an informed consent form and be asked to provide a urine sample to check for infection.
The examination procedure requires a special position (medically known as “lithotomy”, as shown in the figure).
After the anesthesia has taken effect, the doctor will gently insert a lubricated urethral cystoscope into your urethra (if there is a stricture, you will need to have your urethra dilated first) and then slowly slide it into your bladder.
2, Relaxing your pelvic muscles will help make this process easier.
3, The flushing solution (distilled or saline) will slowly flow through the cystoscope into your bladder to stretch it and give the doctor a better view of the bladder.
4. During this procedure, you will feel some bladder clearing, bloating discomfort and urgency as your bladder fills. It is necessary to maintain some tolerance and slow deep breathing will help to tolerate the examination.
5.In most cases, the whole procedure will take about 10 to 20 minutes.
6. In most cases where local anesthesia is used, you will be able to eat normally and resume normal activities after the examination is completed.
There may be risks, edema of the mucous membrane of the urethra which may lead to painful urination or difficulty in urination, and there may be a slight burning or painful sensation when urinating, but it is generally mild.
7, When urinating, slight hematuria may be seen, especially after a tissue biopsy has been performed.
8, Mild symptoms of urinary tract infection.
These usually do not last more than 24 hours and then largely disappear. To reduce discomfort, drink plenty of water. Warm baths may be taken to reduce the burning sensation. Use prophylactic antibiotics to prevent serious urinary tract infections from occurring.
9. A rare but serious risk is perforation of the urethra or bladder, which may require surgical management if necessary.
IV. Post-test precautions If you have obvious signs of infection, including pain, chills, fever, or persistent bleeding (especially with blood clots) or severe pain, if these problems are severe or persist for more than a few days, or if you are unable to urinate 8 hours after the test, please inform your doctor, who will take prompt and appropriate care of the situation.