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 About the Surgery

Rigid Cystoscopy is a procedure that allows your urologist to look at the interior lining of your lower urinary tract (urethra, bladder and openings of the ureter) using a rigid fibreoptic scope called a cystoscope. Unlike flexible cystoscopies, Rigid cystoscopy allows your urologist to perform biopsies and simultaneously remove any bladder cancers that are found during the procedure. Rigid cystoscopy requires general anaesthesia which means you are put to sleep for the whole operation and will feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure. A rigid cystoscope is as thick as a pencil and has light at the end.

 Aim of Surgery

Your urologist may recommend a rigid cystoscopy for any of the following conditions:

Unusual growth, polyp, tumor, or cancer (eg bladder cancer)

Your urologist may recommend a Rigid cystoscopy due to previous abnormal findings from flexible cystoscopy which requires further investigation and/or treatment

 How Long is Surgery

30 min

 Anaesthetic

General Anaesthetic
(You are put to sleep for the whole operation and will feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure)

 Incision/Cut

No skin incisions or cuts

If a bladder cancer or growth is identified during the procedure, a biopsy will be performed.

 Description of Surgery

After you have been given the anaesthetic/sedation, the surgeon will insert the cystoscope through the urethra (opening of the penis).

The bladder wall and openings to the ureters (tubes going to the kidneys) are then examined through the scope whilst filling the bladder with water. Specimens of urine, bladder and ureters may be taken during the procedure for pathology.

If there were any tissue samples taken during the procedure, the results will only be available after a few days. This result is normally discussed with you on the follow up appointment with the surgeon.

 Complications of Surgery

There is a small risk of:

Bleeding

Infection - responds well to tablet antibiotics

Pain or burning sensation when passing water - responds to pain medication

 Duration of Hospital Stay

0 - 1 night

Depending on what your surgeons have done during the procedure:

- if only small biopsies are taken during the procedure, you will be able to go home the same day

- if there was a large number of biopsies taken during the procedure and your urine is heavily blood stained, you may require a urinary catheter inserted into the bladder to drain away the blood and urine. You may need to stay in hospital overnight.