Cystoscopy

Your physician has indicated that a direct visual inspection of the bladder and urethra is indicated. This can be done as part of evaluation for unexplained blood in the urine, follow up of a known history of bladder cancer, recurrent infections, or examination of the prostate in men for BPH, among other reasons.

You may need to have IV sedation (per physician discretion) and with this in mind, you may be asked to not only have someone available to drive you home, but also to not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the procedure.

The possibility of substituting a less invasive procedure like ultrasound, x-ray, or CT scan ("cat scan") may be considered, but there is some information that can only be ascertained via direct visual inspection.

You will be getting a pre-procedure phone call (per Medicare requirements) to go over such things as what medications you currently take and any drug allergies you have – including latex, as we use latex gloves in the exam. You will be reminded to have an escort home, unless it was clearly stated by your physician that you will only be getting local anesthesia and not IV sedation. You will be reminded to have nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to procedure (unless clearly stated that no IV sedation will be used). You will be asked if you have a living will or durable power of attorney.

The Procedure

• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to examination to facilitate any outstanding paperwork that may need to be completed.
• After sterile preparation of the region (please inform us if your skin is sensitive to betadine iodine), a gel lubricated thin telescope is advanced through the urethra into the bladder.
• The duration of the procedure is generally quite short, as little as four to five minutes depending on findings.
• The amount of discomfort during this is generally not very great and the measures taken to address this are individualized to each patient as the procedure progresses.
• An explanation of findings will be forthcoming immediately after the exam, although admittedly this discussion can be a little difficult for sedated patients to remember.

Post-Procedure

• Expect that there can be a small amount of blood passage with urination following the procedure along with some burning discomfort. This will last usually a half day up to a full day.
• If a prescription is given for antibiotics or other medications following the procedure, please take these according to the directions.
• Call the office phone number (425.899.5800) if you experience a fever greater than 101 degrees, heavy blood or significant clots in the urine, or significant pain. You may get the on-call doctor if these problems occur after 5 p.m.
• You will receive a post-procedure phone call to determine level of your comfort, presence of fever, amount of blood in the urine, ability to eat and drink normally, or any changes in other unrelated medical problems.