A cystoscopy is a procedure where an endoscopy is performed through the urinary tract to examine the bladder of the patient. In this situation, an endoscope is inserted into the urinary bladder through the patient's urethra. The urethra is the tube that connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body which is used to pass urine. A cystoscope typically carries the same imaging capabilities as a microscope or a telescope. It uses various lenses to magnify parts of the urinary tract as the scope travels through it to look for abnormalities or obstructions. Some scopes may also contain a passage which allows other medical instruments to pass through and enter the urinary bladder. This is done during a surgical procedure to cure any problem in the urinary tract or in the urinary bladder.
Cystoscopy can be done using either a flexible or rigid scope. The flexible scope can be administered to both sexes and can be done under local anesthesia. This is often prepared if the doctor wishes for the session to be more interactive and to show the patient the progress. A rigid cystoscope may be used, but it is generally done under general anesthesia as it can cause considerable pain to the patient.
The entire process of a cystoscopy takes a few minutes but may be extended if the doctor finds anything unusual such as a lesion or a stone. In this case the procedure may last longer as samples are taken. After completing a cystoscopy, patients may report some discomfort. These include a burning sensation while passing urine, mild urinary incontinence, passage of small amounts of blood in the urine and so on. In all these cases, the symptoms ought to pass within 24 hours of the test. If the discomfort is extreme, please visit your doctor.
There are several measures that can be undertaken after a cystoscopy. These include drinking water, about two or three 8 ounce glasses over a two hour period and passing urine after that. It is also suggested that one may use a warm damp cloth at the urethral opening to reduce any pain or discomfort. Some doctors even suggest taking a warm bath to relieve discomfort caused by the procedure. In many cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics to prevent any infection. However, this is not recommended as this tends to allow bacteria to develop resistance to the drugs over a period of time. If there is pain persistent beyond 24 hours of the procedure, please visit your doctor.
Submitted by M T on March 5, 2010 at 12:38