What is Cystoscopy?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Cystoscopy?
Cystoscopy is a procedure performed by the doctor to examine the lining of the bladder (where urine is stored) and the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). A cystoscope is a lighted tube with a camera on one end. It is inserted into the urethra slowly into the bladder. Small surgical instruments can be passed down the cystoscope for treating certain bladder problems. In the case of a man, the tube is inserted in the opening at the end of the penis. In the case of a woman, the opening of the urethra is just above the vagina.
In this article, we will be discussing in detail about cystoscopy.
- What are the different types of Cystoscopies?
- What is the purpose of Cystoscopy?
- What is the diagnostic procedure before a Cystoscopy?
- How to prepare for a Cystoscopy?
- What is the procedure for Cystoscopy?
- How to care after Cystoscopy?
- What are the risks of Cystoscopy?
- What is the cost of Cystoscopy in India?
What are the different types of Cystoscopies?
The different types of cystoscopies include:
- Flexible cystoscopy: A thin cystoscope that can bend is used for this procedure. The patient is usually awake when this procedure is carried out (under local anesthesia), and it is generally done to look inside the bladder.
- Rigid cystoscopy: This procedure involves the use of a cystoscope that does not bend when used. The procedure is done when the patient is put to sleep (under general anesthesia) or the lower half of the body is numbed (under epidural or spinal anesthesia) and is done in cases of bladder problems that may require treatment.
( Know more about- What is Colposcopy? )
What is the purpose of Cystoscopy?
Cystoscopy may be performed in the following cases:
Investigation of the causes of various signs and symptoms: The signs and symptoms that may require further investigation include:
- Blood in urine
- Urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine)
- Pain during urination
- Overactive bladder
- Frequent urinary tract infections (however, cystoscopy is not done in case of an active urinary tract infection)
( Know more about- What is Stress Urinary Incontinence? )
Diagnosis of bladder disorders: The various bladder conditions that can be diagnosed using cystoscopy include:
- Bladder cancer
- Stones in bladder
- Bladder inflammation (called cystitis)
Diagnosis of an enlarged prostate: Cystoscopy can help in diagnosing a narrow urethra where it passes through the prostate gland (a walnut-sized gland that produces the seminal fluid which nourishes and transports a man’s sperm), which indicates an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Treatment of bladder diseases: Special surgical tools can be passed through a cystoscope to treat certain bladder conditions like bladder tumors.
What is the diagnostic procedure before a Cystoscopy?
- Physical examination: The doctor will examine you physically and ask about your symptoms and medical history.
- Blood tests: Routine blood tests may be recommended to check the vital blood parameters and if there is a presence of any underlying medical condition.
- Urine tests: Urinalysis helps in diagnosing a urinary infection.
- Imaging tests: Cystoscopy is an invasive diagnostic procedure that is performed only after imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans confirm the presence of an abnormality in the urethra or bladder.
- Biopsy: The doctor removes a sample of the suspected tissue growth using a cystoscope and sends it to the laboratory to check for the presence of any cancer cells. It is to be noted that a biopsy is not performed before a cystoscopy, rather it is performed with the help of a cystoscope.
( Know more about- What is Urinary Bladder Cancer Treatment? )
How to prepare for a Cystoscopy?
- A urine test is performed a day before the procedure to check for the presence of an active urinary tract infection. In case of an infection, the doctor will first treat it before the procedure of cystoscopy.
- The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to be taken before and after the procedure to avoid infections.
- You will be made to urinate before the procedure.
- Inform your doctor about the current medications or supplements that you may be taking.
- Update your doctor if you are having any medical conditions or diseases.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, or think that you might be pregnant.
- The doctor will advise you to stop taking blood-thinners like aspirin and warfarin a few days before the procedure.
- If the procedure is going to be performed under general anesthesia, the patient is asked to not eat or drink anything 8 hours before the procedure.
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What is the procedure for Cystoscopy?
- Cystoscopy is a simple outpatient procedure (the patient goes home on the same day of surgery).
- The patient is first instructed to empty his / her bladder and then lie down on the table on their back. The knees are bent and the feet are positioned in stirrups.
- The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or epidural anesthesia.
- A numbing gel is applied to the urethra before inserting a cystoscope to prevent pain.
- The doctor will then carefully push the cystoscope into the urethra using the smallest scope possible.
- Larger scopes are generally used when the procedure is being performed to obtain tissue samples or pass certain surgical tools into the bladder.
- The cystoscope has a lens on one end. This works like a telescope for magnifying the inner surfaces of the bladder and urethra.
- A special video camera may be placed over the lens to project the images obtained onto a video screen.
- The bladder is filled with a sterile solution. This solution will inflate the bladder and allow the doctor to obtain a better view of the bladder.
- As the bladder becomes full, the patient may feel a need to urinate. You will be encouraged to do so once the procedure is complete.
- The doctor may perform procedures like biopsy or other medical procedures using cystoscopy.
- The procedure may take five to 15 minutes to complete when done under local anesthesia.
- Under general anesthesia, the procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes to be completed.
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How to care after Cystoscopy?
- You may be allowed to resume your daily activities immediately following the procedure, once the effect of the anesthesia wears off.
- It is normal to have belly pain, an urgency to urinate, and blood-tinged urine or pain while passing urine for the first two days following the procedure. These symptoms usually disappear on their own.
- Drink lots of water to flush the irritants out of the bladder. Drink about ½ liter of water each hour for the first two hours after the procedure.
- The doctor may advise painkillers to relieve pain and discomfort after the procedure.
- The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection after the procedure.
- A warm, damp washcloth is placed on the opening of the urethra to relieve pain. This is repeated as required.
- Take a warm bath after the procedure unless your doctor has advised you to avoid bathing.
( Know more about- What is Hematuria (Blood in Urine) ? )
What are the risks of Cystoscopy?
The complications associated with a cystoscopy include:
- Bladder infection, spasms, or perforation
- Urinary tract infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Painful cramps
- Bleeding
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Nausea
- Chills
- Fever
- Blood clots or bright red blood is seen in the urine
- Burning sensation during urination
- Inability to urinate or frequent urination after the procedure
- Urethral narrowing, scarring, or trauma
( Know more about- What is Acute Kidney Injury? )
What is the cost of Cystoscopy in India?
The total cost of cystoscopy in India can range from around INR 10,000 to INR 1,50,000. However, many prominent hospital doctors in India specialize in cystoscopy. But the cost varies across different hospitals and cities.
If you are coming from abroad, apart from the cost of cystoscopy, there will be an additional cost of living in a hotel and the cost of local travel. After surgery, the patient is kept for one day in the hospital and seven days in the hotel for recovery. So, the total cost of cystoscopy in India comes from a total of INR 13,000 to INR 1,95,000.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding Cystoscopy through this article.
If you need more information related to cystoscopy, then you can contact a Urologist.
We only aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medicine or treatment. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
