Why do patients need this procedure?

Cystoscopies are a frequently used procedure by Paediatric Urologists to investigate and treat young boys and girls with bladder difficulties, reflux or urinary tract infections.

Before admission to hospital:

Pre-operative assessment:

Most children will be contacted by our urology CNS for pre-assessment 3-7 days prior to admission in our ‘pre-operative assessment clinic’ or over the phone. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure:

• you and your child are fully informed
• your child’s hospital stay is as straightforward and seamless as possible

Urine test:

A urine specimen should be taken to OPD for testing one week prior to the procedure to ensure your child does not have a urine infection.

If your child becomes unwell:

If your child has a cold, cough or illness such as chicken pox the operation will need to be postponed to avoid complications. Please telephone us on the telephone number at the end of this leaflet.

Starvation plan:

Your child will not be able to eat and drink before the operation. Specific advice about this will be given in the letter of confirmation and by telephone on the day before surgery by the consultant PA or the pre-assessment nurses.

What happens when my child is admitted to hospital?

You will be asked to bring your child to one of our children’s floor on the day of surgery. When you arrive, you will be seen by our paediatric nursing staff you’re your consultant and the anaesthetist.

A parent will be able to accompany your child when she/he goes to the anaesthetic room to go to sleep for the operation and can also be present in the recovery area when she/he wakes.

What happens during the cystoscopy?

Once your child is anaesthetised, the cystoscope is lubricated and inserted into the urethra and gently passed up into the bladder. Sterile saline (salty water) is used to fill the bladder, via the cystoscope, and allow a clear view.

What are the problems, complications and risks of cystoscopy?

• Seeing blood in the urine (called haematuria) and having some discomfort (a stinging sensation) during the passing of urine is common after a cystoscopy. Encouraging your child to drink well helps to ease these symptoms which should resolve after one to two days.
• Although antibiotics are given at the time of the procedure, children might develop a urine infection which requires a course of antibiotics.

What are the alternatives?

A cystoscopy can give a good assessment of your child’s condition compared to other tests alone. The only alternative is for your child to have an operation to examine the inside of the bladder. A cystoscopy is quicker and has less risks and complications than an operation.

How long will my child stay in hospital for?

The vast majority of children can have this operation performed as a day case and go home the same day without any difficulties, after drinking, eating and passing urine. For example, the cystoscopy could identify reflux which can be treated by a small injection of material such as Deflux TM. Or the procedure could identify inflammation of the bladder (cystitis cystica) which can be treated successfully with antibiotics.

Discharge advice – How do I look after my child at home?

Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids (water or weak squash). If your child develops a fever, increased pain, any difficulty passing urine or any other signs of a urine infection you should contact your GP or nurse specialist for further advice.

What happens next?

Your consultant will talk to you about the results of the cystoscopy shortly after the procedure and discuss any treatments needed.

Follow-up

You will be advised when your child will next be reviewed prior to discharge home. The timing of the follow up will depend on why your child had the cystoscopy. Review is usually held in the children’s outpatient at the Portland.

For further information please contact

We hope that you find this information helpful. If you have any questions or problems either before or after the surgery, please do not hesitate to contact Nasra Ahmed, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Paediatric Urology on 020 7580 4400, ex.10838 (09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday) or email at: [email protected]

For Out of hours: Contact our Paediatric Site Practitioner via the switchboard on: 02075804400 ex 10843

Disclaimer Whilst this leaflet aims to provide you with useful information, it must be noted that it should only act as a guideline. Should you have any further concerns about this procedure, it is advisable that you discuss them with your Consultant.