A new small-calibre diagnostic flexible cystoscope.

Abstract

To determine whether flexible cystoscopy with a prototype slim flexible instrument is less uncomfortable than flexible cystoscopy using a standard flexible cystoscope. In all, 200 men scheduled to undergo flexible cystoscopy for the follow-up of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were randomized in equal groups to flexible cystoscopy using the standard instrument or using the prototype slim-scope. Each patient had 11 mL of 2% lignocaine gel instilled intraurethrally 5 min before the procedure. At the end of the procedure the patient was asked to complete a 100-mm non-graphical visual analogue scale to rate how uncomfortable the procedure was. The slim-scope was very significantly less uncomfortable than the conventional instrument (anova P < 0.001). The ease of use and views of the bladder were similar to those obtained with the conventional cystoscope. The slim-scope offers a significant benefit in patient comfort, with little loss of image quality or ease of use.