Consent: Flexible Cystoscopy - Podcast Version 0:00 / 0:00 1x 0.25x 0.5x 0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x 2x This article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a template for consenting patients. The person obtaining consent should have clear knowledge of the procedure and the potential risks and complications. Always refer to your local or national guidelines, and the applicable and appropriate law in your jurisdiction governing patient consent. Overview of Procedure A flexible cystoscopy is a basic urological procedure which allows visualisation of the urethra and bladder without the need for administering a general anaesthetic unlike rigid cystoscopy. It is primarily used for diagnostic purposes including taking biopsies as well as aiding stent placement. It can be done as a day case procedure, most commonly performed in the work-up for haematuria. Complications Intraoperative Complication Description of Complication Potential Ways to Reduce Risk Blood loss Damage or abrasion or lining of urethra, bladder can cause minor bleeding, resulting in haematuria Careful and meticulous handling of the scope to avoid damage Damage to surrounding structures Damage can occur to the urethra, bladder, or ureters during the procedure Use of an appropriate sized scope Anaesthetic risks Local anaesthetic toxicity or reaction Check allergy status, prior to procedure (instillagel contains lidocaine and chlorhexadine) Early Complication Description of Complication Potential Ways to Reduce Risk Pain Dysuria from the instrumentation used and slight urethral dilation from the scope Use of instillagel into the urethra and simple analgesia post-operatively Infection Infection can be introduced by the instrumentation, however the overall risk is very low Maintain an aseptic technique throughout the procedure Late Complication Description of Complication Potential Ways to Reduce Risk Urethral stricture Recurrent cystoscopies can result in potential urethral strictures developing Frequent questions What is flexible cystoscopy? Flexible cystoscopy is a urological procedure that enables the examination of the urethra and bladder without requiring general anaesthesia. It is primarily performed for diagnostic purposes, such as taking biopsies or assisting with stent placement. What are the common complications associated with flexible cystoscopy? Common complications include blood loss, damage to surrounding structures, pain, dysuria, and infection. Careful technique and appropriate scope sizing can help minimise these risks during the procedure. How can the risk of infection during flexible cystoscopy be reduced? The risk of infection can be minimised by maintaining an aseptic technique throughout the procedure. This ensures that the instrumentation does not introduce pathogens into the urinary tract. What measures can be taken to alleviate pain after flexible cystoscopy? To alleviate post-procedural pain, instillagel can be used in the urethra, along with the administration of simple analgesia. This helps manage dysuria caused by instrumentation and slight urethral dilation. What is the potential long-term complication of repeated cystoscopies? Repeated cystoscopies may lead to the development of urethral strictures over time. This risk highlights the importance of careful monitoring and technique during each procedure to prevent complications. Rate This Article