Does a urology perform cystoscopy?

The clinician passes a thin viewing instrument called a cystoscope through the urethra into the bladder. Cystoscopy can investigate blood in the urine, repeated urinary symptoms, narrowing or abnormal imaging. It may also be used to monitor a known bladder condition.

A flexible cystoscope can often be used with local anaesthetic gel while the patient is awake. A rigid cystoscope is commonly used when the urologist needs a larger working channel for a biopsy or treatment and may require general or spinal anaesthesia. The team will tell you which approach is planned.

Sterile fluid fills the bladder so its lining can be inspected. You may feel pressure or an urge to urinate. If tissue is collected, a pathologist examines it; the visual impression alone does not replace the tissue result when a biopsy is required.

Tell the urology service about blood-thinning medicines, allergies, pregnancy, current urinary burning or fever, and previous problems with anaesthesia. Follow the instructions about eating and drinking because they differ according to the planned anaesthetic. Do not change prescribed medicines without direct guidance.

Mild burning, urgency or lightly blood-stained urine can occur for a short time afterward. Drink fluids if the team says this is suitable for you, follow any antibiotic instructions exactly, and avoid driving or making important decisions after sedation or general anaesthesia until the hospital's stated restriction has passed.

Seek urgent help if you cannot pass urine, develop severe lower abdominal pain, pass large blood clots, have heavy bleeding or become faint. These problems can indicate urinary blockage or bleeding that requires assessment.

Contact the urology team without delay for fever, chills, worsening burning, foul-smelling or cloudy urine while feeling unwell, or pain that continues to increase. If you are unsure which service to call, use the discharge number or an urgent-care service and state that you recently had cystoscopy.

Ask whether the examination will be flexible or rigid, which anaesthetic is planned, and whether a biopsy or treatment might occur at the same visit. Clarify medicine changes, transport needs, when results will be available, who will explain them and which symptoms should trigger a call.