How is the cystoscopy procedure performed?
While procedures that are simple can be carried out in the doctors office, using just local anesthesia, however, most cystoscopy procedures are carried out in the operating room of a hospital as an outpatient. Various types of anesthetics are used to make the cystoscopy procedure as comfortable and pain free as possible. During the cystoscopy, the cystoscope, which is half the size of the urethra in diameter, and which can either be rigid or flexible, is inserted slowly into the urethra until it reaches the bladder. The camera that is attached to the end of the cystoscope enables the physician to view the images on a screen. After examining the urethra, a sterile liquid is introduced, which can be saline or water, inside the bladder, which enables better viewing of the bladder wall. Other instruments can be inserted through the cystoscope, allowing the physician to carry out various procedures like the removal of a tumor in the prostate or bladder, removal of stones or osteophytes, and
