Endoscopy
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is an office based procedure performed under local anesthesia. The cystoscope is a flexible, thin lighted instrument that allows your Urologist to look at the inside of the bladder and urethra. Cystoscopy allows your doctor to look at areas of the bladder and urethra that do not show up well on X- rays. Tiny surgical instruments can be inserted through the cystoscope that allows your urologist to perform biopsies if needed. Indications for Cystoscopy include:- To find the cause of blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Evaluate painful urination (Dysuria)
- Evaluate the cause of repeated urinary tract infections
- Evaluate blockages in the urethra (strictures)
- Evaluate cause of abnormal urothelial cells (urine cytology)
- Evaluate prostate size and configuration prior to surgery
Ureteroscopy
Ureteroscopy is a hospital based procedure requiring anesthesia which is usually done as an outpatient. Your urologist inserts a thin lighted scope in to the urethra, bladder and into the ureter (tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder). Ureteroscopy allows urologists to remove stones as well as diagnose other causes of obstruction and bleeding. Sometimes a ureteral stent (Small plastic tube used to drain urine from the kidney to the bladder) is inserted temporarily after ureteroscopy to allow healing. The stent is removed in the office under local anesthesia.Percutaneous Endoscopy:
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy requires general or regional anesthesia and requires a short hospitalization.In percutaneous Nephrolithotomy the urologist makes a small incision in your back to remove stones. Typically a small tube is placed into your kidney and a probe inserted through the tube. The stones are fragmented and removed through the tube. The tube is left in place until the kidney heals, usually 2-5 days.
Most people are able to return to work within a couple of weeks.