A flexible cystoscope is a small version of a cystoscope that may be performed in an awake patient with local anaesthetic gel. The telescope is flexible and may be manoeuvered around corners by the surgeon. It is a diagnostic tool used for looking in the bladder.

This is rigid telescope that is only used in anaesthetised patients. The advantage of a rigid cystoscope is that it is wide enough to allow surgical instruments into the bladder to perform procedures such as a bladder biopsy, or removal of a bladder tumour.

Most patients should be able to resume normal activities after an Outpatient’s test. You are expected to get some:

• Burning in the urine
• Voiding more frequently than usual
• Mild blood in the urine

This will usually subside after a day or two. If they persist, then you may be experiencing a bladder infection and you should seek medical attention.

The overall complication rate is low, but the possible complications are:

• Urinary tract infection
  • Associated symptoms are urinary frequency, difficulty holding back the urine, smelly/cloudy urine and occasionally, fevers.
  • Drink lots of water to prevent this.
  • In some circumstances, you may be given a course of antibiotics after the test to prevent an infection.
• Persistent bleeding
  • Especially in patients who are on blood thinning medications or those who had more complex procedures done.
  • Drink lots of water to treat this.
  • If you are passing large blood clots or heavily blood stained urine and/or cannot pass urine, then you should seek medical attention.
• Urinary retention (cannot pass urine)
  Can happen to men with an enlarged prostate.