Cystoscopy is a medical procedure where a flexible instrument with a camera is inserted into the urethra to diagnose or treat conditions. It can take urine and tissue samples, perform minor surgery, and place catheters. The procedure can cause discomfort but is usually not painful. Patients may experience painful urination and blood in the urine afterward. It can be done with local or general anesthesia and takes 10 to 40 minutes.
Cystoscopy is a medical procedure in which an instrument is inserted into the urethra for the purpose of gathering information that can be used in diagnosis or to provide treatment. The tool includes a camera so that the urologist performing the procedure can see what he is doing. There are a number of reasons a doctor requests a cystoscopy.
The cystoscope has a number of features in addition to a camera. The instrument can be used to take urine and tissue samples from the urethra and bladder, and can also be used to perform minor surgery, such as the extraction of kidney stones. A cystoscope can also be used to place a catheter that will be used to inject dye for a medical imaging study to learn more about someone’s urinary tract.
Early versions of the procedure were quite painful, as they involved the use of a rigid probe. Most urologists today use a flexible cystoscope, which greatly reduces pain, and the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis in a medical clinic or hospital. The procedure does come with some discomfort, especially for men, but it shouldn’t be painful.
Patients are asked to prepare for the procedure by urinating in many cases and will also be required to undress and put on a hospital gown. For some cystoscopy procedures, the patient will be placed under general anesthesia for greater comfort. In other cases, local anesthetic will be used, along with anti-anxiety medications to help the patient relax. The entire procedure takes anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes, depending on why the procedure is being done.
During cystoscopy, the cystoscope is slowly inserted into the urethra. Once it reaches the bladder, a fluid will be used to fill the bladder so the doctor can see more easily. Your doctor may perform various procedures with the device or simply look around to get an idea of what’s going on inside your urinary tract.
Patients typically experience painful urination and blood in the urine for several days after the cystoscopy. In the case of patients undergoing general anesthesia, they may need to stay in the hospital overnight for recovery and a ride home will definitely be required. Patients who have a local anesthetic may be able to walk away shortly after the procedure is done; a run is recommended for patients receiving anti-anxiety medications.
With this procedure, doctors can look for the causes of problems such as painful urination, bladder infections, or pain in the pelvic area. They may also take suspicious urine and tissue samples for diagnostic purposes. When a doctor recommends a cystoscopy, the patient should ask why the test is recommended and what he or she should do to prepare.
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