All about Cystoscopy and its treatment
Overview
A cystoscopy is a procedure that enables a doctor to check your bladder lining and the urethra. The procedure is sometimes referred to as a cystourethroscopy or a bladder scope. During the procedure, your doctor will use a tool known as a cystoscope. It is a thin tube with a light and a camera at the end. During cystoscopy, the doctor inserts the cystoscope into your urethra through your bladder to help them see the insides of the bladder. The device magnifies images from the camera which are then displayed on the doctor’s screen. This is an outpatient procedure, which means that you can get it at the doctor’s office or a clinic. You will be allowed to go home after the procedure if there are no complications.
For men, the insertion takes place at the opening of your penis and for women; it is done above your vagina. The test is essential because it allows the doctor to check your bladder and urethra’s complete length for not only abnormal growths but also polyps and problems you may have. The doctor may do the test in a testing room where he will numb your urethra with anesthetic jelly. It may sometimes be done with sedation as an outpatient test. The last option you may have is to take the procedure in a hospital and this time, it will be done with general sedation. There are different types of the procedure and the doctor will choose which one to do depending on your reason for doing the procedure.
Reasons
Cystoscopy procedure is done to monitor, diagnose, and treat various conditions that may impact your bladder. Therefore, the doctor may mainly recommend the procedure for the following reasons:
Diagnose bladder conditions and disease- The most common examples of bladder conditions may include bladder inflammation, bladder cancer, and bladder stones.
Investigating the causes of various signs and symptoms– The most common signs and symptoms that may result in the doctor recommending a cystoscopy may include painful urination, presence of blood in your urine, and having an overactive bladder. The procedure may also help determine the primary causes of recurrent urinary tract infections. However, the test cannot be done when you have an active UTI.
Treating bladder conditions and diseases– There are special tools that the cystoscope can pass to enable the treatment of various conditions. An excellent example is small bladder tumors that may be removed during the test.
Diagnosis of an enlarged prostate– The test may indicate a urethra narrowing where it passes via the prostate glands. This can indicate whether or not you have enlarged prostates.
Your doctor may as well use this test to diagnose the following;
- Existing problems with your ureters- Ureters are the tubes that connect your bladders to the kidneys
- Noncancerous growths
- Blockages
Other uses of the test may include:
The insertion of small tubes to help with your urine flow
Taking urine samples so that your doctor can check for infections and tumors
The test may also help by injecting dye to help your doctor identify kidney problems on an x-ray
Preparation
Your doctor may recommend antibiotics before and after the test if you have a weaker immune system. In preparation for the procedure, you may have to give a urine sample. If your doctor recommends general anesthesia, there is a higher likelihood that you may feel groggy. Therefore, the doctor will recommend that before you start the procedure, you organize a ride home for when the procedure is completed. Also, it is recommended that you plan enough resting time after the procedure is complete. The doctor will inform you about all these and if there is anything you have not understood, ask questions or further clarifications. If you are under medication, kindly confirm with your doctor whether or not you can continue with them. It is so because there are medications that may result in excessive bleeding during the procedure.
Procedure
Anesthesia is given during the procedure
The procedure may be done in a doctor’s office or the hospital. You will need anesthesia and it will be best if you inquire from the doctor before you begin. The most commonly used anesthesia includes;
General anesthesia- This means you will be fully unconscious throughout the procedure. It is recommendable that when using this method, you fast for hours before the procedure.
Local anesthesia- When undergoing an outpatient procedure, this is the most suitable anesthesia. It means that during the procedure, you will be awake. With this procedure, you can eat normally and after the test is complete, you can immediately go home.
Regional anesthesia- This anesthesia involves a back injection. When this happens, you get numb from below your waist. You are likely to feel a sting when the shot is given.
During the procedure
A simple cystoscopy procedure may take approximately five to fifteen minutes if it is an outpatient test. However, when the procedure is done in the hospital with general anesthesia or sedation, the procedure may take approximately 15-30 minutes. You will need to follow the below process;
Empty your bowel- Your doctor will first ask you to empty your bowel as the procedure is a urinary tract test. You will then lie on the table facing up with your knees in a bent position and your feet in a stirrup position. The doctors have a role to play in helping you find the most comfortable position before starting the procedure.
Sedation or anesthesia- You may need or may not need sedation or anesthesia. However, if you are sedated, you are likely to feel relaxed and sleepy during the procedure. Despite feeling sleepy, you will still be aware of what is happening to you. If you are given general anesthesia, you will not know anything during the procedure.
Cystoscope Insertion-Your doctor will first apply a numbing jelly to your urethra. This will be done to prevent you from feeling any pain during the insertion process. You will feel sensations despite the gel but the procedure becomes less painful with the gel. After a little waiting for the numbing to occur, the doctor will push the cystoscope into the urethra. He will do this with the smallest scope he can get. However, he may need larger scopes for sampling tissues or passing surgical instruments into your bladder. For example, if the procedure you going through is investigatory, a flexible scope will be the most preferred by the doctor.
Urethra and bladder examination- After inserting the cystoscope, your doctor will examine your bladder and urethra. The cystoscope has a lens. The lens works like a telescope by magnifying the urethra and bladder’s inner surfaces. The doctor may add a video camera to the lenses for better projection of the images.
Sterile solution- The doctor will fill your bladder with a sterile solution. The solution is essential as it inflates the bladder which enables the doctor to have a better and clearer look at the inside. You may feel the urination need as your bladder fills. However, you will only do that when the doctor completes the procedure.
Tissue Sampling- Your doctor may have to collect samples of your tissue for further lab testing.
After the Procedure
After completion of the procedure, your doctor may clear you to continue with your daily operations and routines. If you received general anesthesia or sedation, the doctor may ask you to stay in the recovery area. This will be to let the medication effects wear off before going home. You may feel some discomfort like frequent urination or burning sensation when urinating after the procedure.
Treatment
Laser lithotripsy is a procedure that uses a laser beam to break available stones in the urinary tract. In most cases, the stones may be present in the kidneys, bladders, ureters, and urethra. During the laser process, the doctor inserts a flexible laser fiber through the scope. It is put into the urinary tract through the urethra where it breaks the stones. The broken stones and their particles are removed with small instruments. There are no incisions during the laser procedure.
The laser procedure is mostly recommendable because it has proven to be more effective for patients with many stones. Also, for the patient on blood thinner medications, surgery is the most preferable. Lastly, the laser lithotripsy approach has been shown to have higher success rates in destroying the possible stones and minimalized chances after the procedure completion. Lastly, the procedure is more effective despite the location, hardness, or size of the stone present in your urinary tract. It is recommended because no matter how big the stone is, the procedure will break and remove the fragments.
Risks
The most common complications you may experience during cystoscopy may include;
Pain- after the test completion, you may experience a burning sensation when urinating and sometimes you will be likely to feel abdominal pain. However, the symptoms are not severe, they are mild and you are likely to get better after the procedure.
Bleeding- the procedure may result in you having blood in your urine. It is so because, during the insertion, it may cause little bruises in the urethra. However, serious bleeding rarely occurs after the procedure.
Infection- there are very rare cases where cystoscopy can bring germs to the urinary tract which may result in infections. However, there are risk factors that may result in you having UTI after the procedure. The risk factors may include smoking, advanced age, and unusual anatomy in the tract.
Swollen urethra- urethritis, often known as a swollen urethra is the most common complication you may experience. Swollen urethra makes urination difficult after the procedure. If after eight hours you cannot urinate, it is essential that you contact your doctor.
Post-op care
After the procedure, you may feel soreness in your urethra and when you pass urine, it may burn. This may be the case for the first few days. Also, you may feel the need to frequently visit the toilet for urination purposes. The urine may as well be pink and may lose the normal urine color. However, the symptoms get better after approximately two days.
Handling the discomfort
- Take painkillers
- Take warm baths unless the doctor requests you not to.
- Drink lots of water to help flush irritants from the bladder. It is recommended that you drink 16 ounces of water hourly for the first three hours post the procedure.
- Put a warm washcloth on the urethra’s opening to ease the pain you may feel.
Activity
- It is necessary that you get enough rest when you feel tired. Also, getting enough sleep will play a huge role in faster recovery.
- Avoid strenuous activities like jogging and weight lifting.
- Most people can return to work after 1 or 2 days upon procedure completion.
- Before having sex, consult with your doctor for clarifications.
- You may take normal baths or showers unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- If you had general anesthesia, it is advisable to have a friend or family member stay over with you.
- Do not drink alcohol, operate complex machinery, or drive for the rest of the day after having general anesthesia.
Diet
- After the procedure, you may continue with your normal diet.
- Drink lots of water to help flush irritants from the bladder. It is recommended that you drink 16 ounces of water hourly for the first three hours post the procedure.
You are requested to call our doctors when you have the following symptoms;
- Fever
- Chills
- Reduction in peeing frequency
- Excess pain where the cystoscope was inserted.
- If you have constant stomach pain.
A cystoscopy is a surgical procedure that allows your urologist to examine your bladder and urethra using a cystoscope. This is a thin device that your doctor inserts inside your urethra. The device allows your doctor to check whether there are any polyps in the bladder or other abnormal growth. A cystoscopy will also reveal an overactive bladder, bladder inflammation, an enlarged prostate, or diagnosis of bladder cancer. A cystoscopy can, therefore, help to diagnose a serious urethra or bladder condition that can be life-threatening or too expensive to treat.
Benefits of Cystoscopy Treatment in Bangalore
- Cost-effective procedure
- Advanced medical facilities
- Friendly support staff
- Transport arrangements before and after the procedure
Goficure for cystoscopy treatment in Bangalore
Goficure is one of the healthcare facilities in Bangalore that has highly experienced doctors conducting a cystoscopy safely and quickly. Our team of doctors has collectively undertaken hundreds of cystoscopy procedures in Bangalore with a high rate of success. We will assist you in booking an appointment with one of our urologists. Goficure offers highly discounted consultations in Bangalore. Additionally, we have arrangements in place with some of the leading healthcare facilities in Bangalore that specialize in cystoscopy where you can get such services at a discount. On the scheduled day that you are to undergo a cystoscopy, we will make transport available from your home to the health care facility, and back after the procedure. Our healthcare team will get you prepared for the procedure, and in case of any questions, you are free to ask. You will also be advised on the kind of fasting required prior to the procedure. Goficure will also assist with your insurance claim and any other paperwork that is needed. This will ensure that your healthcare experience is smooth and less stressful. We also offer post-op care that includes sessions with qualified nutritionists in Bangalore. They will offer you useful dietary advice to fast-track your recovery.
Exclusive features you get with goficure
1. Dedicated Medi-Pal
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to you. Your Medi-Pal will be your one point contact throughout the treatment and post-op period. They will always be available for you
2. Quick doctor’s appointments
After understanding your concerns, your Medi-Pal will schedule your consultation with a specialist doctor. Your doctor will carry out necessary tests and advise the course of treatment
3. Hassle-free treatment
If you opt to get the surgery done, goficure will take care of it completely. Right from booking your surgery, claiming your insurance to being with you throughout the procedure, your Medi-Pal will do it all
4. Post-op recovery support
Your Medi-Pal would ensure quick recovery. This includes booking your follow up consultations and helping you with doctor-recommended steps for diet & exercise
Guarantees
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Why Goficure?
Specialist doctors
Our doctors are vetted for their experience and skills. Rest assured, you are in safe hands. The best treatment for your condition is delivered all the time
Medi-Pal assistance
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to take care of the entire process. This includes booking your appointments, scheduling the surgery, handling your documentation including claiming insurance, discharge, and post-op recovery
Affordability
Goficure delivers high-quality treatment to you at affordable prices. Superior treatment and best quality of service is assured while keeping costs reasonable
Post procedure care and follow-ups
Our engagement doesn't end after your surgery. It continue until you go back to your normal life. Free diet and exercise consultations during your recovery phase are offered to ensure a quick recovery
Comparison
With so many options, are you wondering what the right choice for your condition is? While you can opt for either an open surgery or a laser surgery, numerous studies have shown that laser surgeries are far more effective. Be it the duration of the procedure, post-operative pain or recovery time, laser surgeries always outrank open surgeries and are therefore, a better choice. Here is a quick comparison that will help you decide your course of action.
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