I. Why do I need a cystoscopy?
A cystoscope, also known as a urethral cystoscope, is an invasive examination device commonly used by urologists. Cystoscopy requires the introduction of a cystoscope from the patient’s external urethra against the direction of urination, and the urologist uses the optical or electronic equipment inside the cystoscope to observe the bladder and diagnose and treat a number of genitourinary disorders under direct vision. Although it can be intimidating to insert a cystoscope from the urethral orifice that is the thickness of a small finger and the length of a chopstick, a skilled urologist can generally complete the examination with only a little mucosal surface anesthetic, and because the female urethra is both wide and short and straight, female patients can be examined without even anesthetic. Only very few patients have the need to undergo the examination under general or semi-anesthesia.
Second, what are the components of cystoscopy The cystoscopy allows to understand the condition of the bladder mucosa, such as ulcers, defects, neoplasms of the bladder mucosa, and of course the site, size, and shape of the neoplasm, which can reveal lesions as small as 2 mm, while modern noninvasive imaging techniques indicate lesions often exceeding 5 mm. It is also possible to observe the morphology of the ureteral opening, the presence of stones in the bladder, the effect of the prostate on the urethra, the presence of lesions in the area where the bladder joins the urethra (medically known as the bladder neck), and it is also useful to determine the source of hematuria and to detect lesions in the urethra and their location. The cystoscope can also be used to perform simple operations under surface anesthesia, including the removal of blood clots from the bladder, biopsy of new organisms and mucous membranes from suspected lesions in the bladder, the removal of small foreign bodies from the bladder and the placement of an internal drainage catheter in the ureter after surgery.
Cystoscopy may cause adverse reactions Nowadays, the cystoscope made of stainless steel is routinely used in China, so cystoscopy may cause some pain to patients, such as hematuria, infection, stinging pain, urinary frequency and urgency after the examination, and occasionally some patients may have difficulty urinating or even cardiovascular accidents. But the good thing is that most of these adverse reactions are relatively mild and can generally be relieved in 3-5 days after the examination, and only in rare cases can serious complications occur. With the development of modern science and technology, fiberoptic cystoscopy has begun clinical application, this kind of cystoscope slim and soft, than the ordinary cystoscope has a larger observation area, the image is also clearer, almost no adverse reactions occur, but the equipment is expensive, the examination cost is higher.
Who is not suitable for cystoscopy Not all urinary tract disorders require cystoscopy. Some patients with acute cystourethritis, cystoscopy may lead to the spread of inflammation. And in those with a bladder capacity of less than 50 ml, such as those with bladder tuberculosis, cystoscopy runs the risk of stabbing the bladder through. Patients with urethral strictures and stones embedded in the urethra may suffer from the inability to insert the cystoscope. Cystoscopy should also be avoided in women who are menstruating or more than 3 months pregnant. Cystoscopy should also be done with great caution in patients with combined cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and other serious chronic diseases.
V. Patient cooperation before and after cystoscopy First of all, before cystoscopy, you should fully understand the significance and necessity of the examination, understand the possible complications of the examination, eliminate tension and fear, and consult a qualified doctor if you have any doubts, and never listen to some untrue information. Active treatment of concomitant diseases, routine urine examination should be performed before the examination to exclude acute inflammation of the urinary system. The cystoscopy, especially in male patients due to the long urethra, can cause pain during the process of placing the cystoscope, and the feeling of urination may occur when the cystoscope passes through the urethra of the prostate or observes the bladder wall near the bladder neck, when you should pay attention to try to relax, you may want to do deep breathing, do not move your body, causing unnecessary damage. The patient should pay attention to the urination and urine properties for a few days after the examination. Minor hematuria or urinary frequency and urgency should be transient and can be relieved on their own without special treatment.