Consent: Rigid 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 rigid cystoscopy is a basic urological procedure that allows direct visual inspection of the urethra and bladder, however must be done under general anaesthesia (or spinal) It can be used to facilitate insertion/removal of stents and administration of medication into the bladder neck, bladder, or ureteral orifices, as well as providing retrograde intraluminal access to the ureters and kidneys. Complications Intraoperative Complication Description of Complication Potential Ways to Reduce Risk Haemorrhage 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 Allergic reaction Local anaesthetic toxicity or reaction to instruments used Anaesthetic Risk Includes damage to the teeth, throat and larynx, reaction to medications, nausea and vomiting, cardiovascular and respiratory complications Forms a part of the anaesthetist assessment before the operation Early Complication Description of Complication Potential Ways to Reduce Risk Pain Dysuria from the instrumentation used and 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 Blood Clots DVTs and PEs are a possibility in any operation, yet often cytsoscopies are short procedures so the risk is low The patient will be given anti-embolism stocking and low molecular weight heparin peri-operatively to minimise this risk, as deemed appropriate 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 a rigid cystoscopy? A rigid cystoscopy is a urological procedure that involves direct visual examination of the urethra and bladder, typically performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. It is used for various purposes, including the insertion and removal of stents and administering medication. What are the potential complications of rigid cystoscopy? Complications of rigid cystoscopy may include haemorrhage, damage to surrounding structures, allergic reactions, pain, infection, and the development of blood clots. Careful technique and appropriate patient management can help mitigate these risks. How can the risk of infection during rigid cystoscopy be minimised? To reduce the risk of infection during a rigid cystoscopy, maintaining an aseptic technique throughout the procedure is crucial. This helps prevent the introduction of pathogens during instrumentation. What measures are taken to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during rigid cystoscopy? To minimise the risk of DVT during rigid cystoscopy, patients are often provided with anti-embolism stockings and low molecular weight heparin as deemed appropriate. These measures are particularly important even in short procedures. What causes urethral strictures after repeated cystoscopies? Urethral strictures can develop as a late complication of recurrent cystoscopies due to repeated trauma to the urethra. This highlights the importance of careful technique and consideration of the frequency of the procedure. Rate This Article