What to know about a cystoscopy operation

It may be performed with local anaesthetic gel while you are awake, or with sedation or general anaesthesia when a more involved procedure is planned.

The clinician guides a flexible or rigid cystoscope through the urinary opening and along the urethra. Sterile fluid gently fills the bladder so its surface can be inspected. Images can reveal inflammation, narrowing, stones, bleeding sites, or abnormal tissue, but a visual finding alone may not establish a diagnosis.

If tissue is removed, a laboratory examines it under a microscope. Your care team may therefore discuss the visual findings immediately but provide the final interpretation later.

Follow the clinic's instructions about eating, drinking, regular medicines, and arranging transport. Tell the team about blood-thinning medicines, allergies, pregnancy, urinary infection symptoms, and previous difficulty with anaesthesia. Do not stop prescribed medicine unless the treating clinician gives specific instructions.

Afterward, drink fluids if your team says this is suitable. Mild burning, urinary urgency, or a small amount of blood can occur briefly. Use only the pain relief advised for you, and wait for the team's guidance before driving, strenuous activity, or returning to work.

Contact the treating service promptly if you develop fever, chills, worsening pelvic or abdominal pain, increasing bleeding, blood clots, foul-smelling urine, or burning that is becoming more intense. Seek urgent care if you cannot pass urine, feel faint, become confused, or have heavy bleeding. These symptoms can signal infection, urinary blockage, or significant bleeding and should not wait for a routine follow-up.

Ask whether the examination will be flexible or rigid, which anaesthesia is planned, whether a biopsy or treatment might be performed, and when results should be available. Confirm whom to contact after hours and which medicine instructions apply to you.