A cystoscopy is a urological procedure that is done to look at the lining of the urethra and bladder using a small camera (cystoscope).
During the procedure, the cystoscope is inserted up the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body), and then up to the bladder. Once the camera has reached the bladder, a doctor or nurse can look at the bladder.
There are two different types of cystoscopes that can be used for this procedure:
Flexible – this is bendy and no wider than a pencil. It is inserted while the patient is still awake.
Rigid – this does not bend and is slightly wider compared to the other. During this procedure, patients will either be under general anaesthetic or will have the lower part of their body numbed.