The most common complication after a cystoscopy is a urinary tract infection (UTI), often accompanied by mild, temporary symptoms like a burning sensation or increased frequency when urinating, and sometimes blood in the urine, especially if a biopsy was taken. While generally safe, other issues can include minor bleeding, temporary inability to urinate (urinary retention), or bladder/urethral irritation, but severe complications like perforation are rare.
Rarely, cystoscopy can send germs into your urinary tract, causing an infection. Risk factors for getting a urinary tract infection after cystoscopy include older age, smoking and poor nutrition. Bleeding. Cystoscopy might cause some blood in your urine.
Cystoscopies are a frequently used procedure by Paediatric Urologists to investigate and treat young boys and girls with bladder difficulties, reflux or urinary tract infections. Will your child need to be under anaesthetic? This is relatively straightforward and short procedure performed under general anaesthetic.
Flexible cystoscopy under local anaesthesia is considered the most useful test in evaluating haematuria in pregnancy. TUR of the bladder tumour under regional or general anaesthesia can be performed at any time during pregnancy [Shrotri and Ross, 2008].
Very rarely, your bladder may be damaged during a cystoscopy. This can cause blood in your pee, which may be heavy or continue for several days. Surgery may be needed to repair this, if the bleeding does not settle down.
After the cystoscopy, your urethra may be sore at first, and it may burn when you urinate for the first few days after the procedure. You may feel the need to urinate more often, and your urine may be pink. These symptoms should get better in 1 or 2 days.
Cystoscopy is a procedure providers use to diagnose and treat urinary tract problems. You might need cystoscopy if you have blood in your pee, painful urination, leaking pee or an inability to pee. During a cystoscopy, a urologist uses a scope to view the inside of your bladder and urethra.
A numbing medicine in the form of a gel will be put into your urethra. This may be mildly uncomfortable until the area is numb. Once the urethra is numb or the anesthesia has taken effect, the healthcare provider will put the cystoscope into the urethra. You may have some discomfort when this is done.
Here are 10 bladder symptoms that you should discuss with your healthcare team:
You'll usually be told to avoid eating or drinking (fast) for several hours before a rigid cystoscopy. You'll be given more detailed information about this. You will also need somebody to take you home after a rigid cystoscopy and stay with you for 24 hours afterwards.
A special team of healthcare providers will perform urethral dilation. The team typically includes a urologist and nurses. It may also include an anesthesiologist. In most cases, your urologist will perform a urethral dilation while you're under anesthesia.
There are different types of cystoscopies:
Symptoms of a kidney infection may be similar but can also include:
Some common symptoms are:
The 5 main warning signs of a bladder infection (UTI) are: 1) A strong, persistent urge to urinate, often with little output; 2) Pain or a burning feeling during urination; 3) Cloudy, strong-smelling, or bloody urine; 4) Pelvic pain or pressure, especially around the pubic bone; and 5) Frequent urination, even if you only pass small amounts. These symptoms signal irritation and infection in the bladder, requiring prompt medical attention to prevent kidney involvement.
A febrile urinary tract infection developed within 30 days of cystoscopy in 59 patients (1.9%), including in 3.7% of infected and 1.4% of uninfected patients (p = 0.01). All cases resolved within 12 to 24 hours with oral antibiotics. No patient was hospitalized for bacterial sepsis.
If any of these symptoms are present, it may be worth making an appointment to see a doctor: Blood in the urine, frequent urination, painful urination or back pain. Your doctor may investigate the more common causes of the symptoms first, or may refer you to a specialist, like a urologist or an oncologist.
Bladder and bowel problems often originate with nerve or muscle dysfunction, as these systems control the flow of urine and the release of stool.
Foods that have been known to amplify overactive bladder symptoms include:
Many people feel embarrassed at the thought of having a cystoscopy, but the urologist should be able to put you at ease. It's also normal to feel a bit anxious, however, over 80% of people who've had a flexible cystoscopy said it wasn't as bad as they'd expected and 99% said they'd have it again if necessary.
Procedure Details
On MDsave, the cost of a Cystoscopy ranges from $1,132 to $1,750. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can shop, compare prices and save.
The mean pain score on a scale of 1—no to 4—severe pain was 1.7 after immediate cystoscopy compared with 1.6 after delayed cystoscopy (p ⫽ 0.9). The mean linear analog self-assessment score on a scale of 1—no to 10—most pain was 2.1 after immediate cystoscopy versus 1.8 after delayed cystoscopy (p ⫽ 0.7).
Following Your Procedure
It is important to increase the amount of liquids you drink. Try to drink at least 6-8 eight-ounce glasses per day unless you are to limit fluids for other medical problems. Water is best. It is important to try to completely empty your bladder each time you urinate (pass your water).
A urologist can perform your cystoscopy during an office visit, in an outpatient center, or at a hospital. Ureteroscopies are usually performed in an operating room under anesthesia. A simple exploratory procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes, including preparation.
Cystoscopy is a direct visual examination the urethra and lining of the bladder using an instrument similar to a microscope. This takes only a few minutes and can usually be performed in our offices under local anesthesia. The cystoscope is lubricated and gently inserted into the natural urinary opening.