A rigid cystoscopy (male) uses a thin rigid tube called a cystoscope to look at the inside the bladder and urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder) of a man.
Often a rigid cystoscopy is performed if your doctor anticipates taking a biopsy or treating a bladder problem. A rigid cystoscopy is slightly wider than a flexible cystoscope and it does not bend. The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthetic. Small surgical instruments can be passed down the cystoscope to treat some bladder problems at the same time as the examination.
You might need a rigid cystoscope to:
The operation usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the findings of the examination and whether a biopsy, minor procedure or treatment is performed at the same time.
After a rigid cystoscopy, you can go home the same day once you have emptied your bladder, but sometimes an overnight stay is needed. Typically, you will stay in the hospital for a few hours until the anaesthetic starts to wear off. Your doctor will discuss the results of the examination with you before you leave the hospital.
You will need to arrange a lift home and preferably have someone to stay with you overnight. You cannot drive for at least 24 hours and you should rest whilst the anaesthetic wears off. You may need a couple of days off work. You can usually return to your normal activities when you feel able to.
Many men feel burning pain when passing urine. This tends to last only a day or so. Drinking plenty of fluids can help with this.
Bleeding is common, especially if a biopsy has been taken. It usually settles after a few days. Biopsy samples are sent to the laboratory for testing. Results are available within a week or two. We will arrange an appointment to discuss these with you.
You will receive a formal quotation price for your rigid cystoscopy following your consultation with one of our expert surgeons that will be valid for 60 days and includes unlimited aftercare.
Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. Rigid cystoscopy is covered by most medical insurance policies. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your insurance provider before having the procedure.
We have a number of finance options if you are paying for this procedure yourself. These include:
Rigid cystoscopy (male) is an examination of the inside of a man’s bladder using a rigid telescopic tube called a cystoscope. It investigates and treat problems in a man’s bladder or urethra.
At Ramsay Health Care UK, we offer our patients fast access to diagnosis and treatment of bladder problems. Our expert urologists use the latest technology and techniques to regularly perform rigid cystoscopies. Many of our hospitals have a dedicated day surgery suite that is custom-built for this type of procedure.
Our caring and friendly staff respect our patient’s needs and their privacy. We offer flexible appointment times without waiting, convenient and free on-site parking, and comfortable recovery areas and private en-suite rooms as required.
Your experienced urologist will discuss your urinary symptoms and bladder problems in detail and seamlessly arrange any tests and investigations to help make a diagnosis.
We understand that waiting for test results can be a very worrying time. At Ramsay, you will benefit from a fast turnaround of biopsy results and rapid access to further treatment if needed.
Ramsay Health Care UK puts patient safety first. All Ramsay hospitals have extensive infection protection protocols in place, including Covid 19.
A flexible cystoscopy is a procedure to check for any problems in your bladder using a flexible fibre-optic telescope (cystoscope).
An upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum using a flexible telescope.
Ultrasound is a safe and widely used sound wave scan that produces pictures of the inside of your body to help doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions.
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