After you have been reviewed by the anaesthetist you will be taken into the endoscopy theatre. A drip will be placed in your arm and you will be given an anaesthetic. Dr Swindle will insert the telescope and inspect your urethra, prostate and bladder. You will be asleep during the procedure and will feel no discomfort.

Following the procedure you will be taken back to recovery where you will still be in your bed and the nursing staff monitors very closely your pulse, blood pressure and breathing. You will be monitored here for approximately 20 minutes. When the nursing staff are happy with your recovery, you will be dressed and then placed in the lounge area for a further hour or so where you will be offered some refreshments. When the staff are happy with your recovery you will be allowed to leave.

You should be accompanied home and not be alone the night of the procedure, and should not make any major decisions for 24 hours afterwards. You should avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours and should not work the following day. This is not because of the procedure itself but as a result of undergoing an anaesthetic.

Potential Side Effects of a Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy is a commonly performed and generally safe procedure and complications are uncommon. However, in order to give informed consent, anyone deciding whether or not to have this procedure needs to be aware of the possible side effects and the risk of complications. The potential side effects of a cystoscopy are as follows:

• Discomfort:

  Most patients have a small amount of discomfort after the procedure at the tip of the penis and some mild burning on urination. This is to be expected and will usually settle within a few hours. If this doesn’t settle within a few hours or is worsening, contact Dr Swindle as this may be due to a urinary infection.

• Blood in the urine:

  A small amount of blood may be present for 24 hours after the procedure. If this lasts longer than this or is heavy with clots contact Dr Swindle immediately on 0409 103333.

• Infection:

  A urinary infection may occasionally occur and causes temperatures, burning on urinations and urinary frequency. Occasionally the urine may become cloudy or smelly. If this occurs contact Dr Swindle immediately on 0409 103333.

• Urinary retention:

  Occasionally the prostate swells after a cystoscopy particularly in men with large prostates and those who normally have a lot of trouble passing urine. This causes a blockage of the urinary system which causes a poor urinary flow, abdominal pain or a total inability to pass urine. If this occurs contact Dr Swindle immediately on 0409 103333.

• Urethral stricture:

  Very rarely a narrowing of the urethra may occur as a result of cystoscopy. This occurs less than 1 in 200 cases. It usually occurs some time after the procedure and causes a diminished flow of urine.

When to contact Dr Swindle following a Cystoscopy

It is important to contact Dr Swindle on his mobile (0409103333) if any of the following occur:

• any bleeding does not seem to have slowed down after 24 hours
• it becomes difficult to pass urine or you have abdominal pain
• there are any signs of infection such as a high temperatures, pain or persistent burning on passing urine or urinary frequency

Follow up with Dr Swindle

Dr Swindle will not see you after the procedure unless there are any significant abnormalities. It is important to ensure that you have a follow up appointment with Dr Swindle if this has not already been arranged.