Cystoscopy is the use of a scope (cystoscope) to examine the bladder. This is done either to look at the bladder for abnormalities or to help with surgery being performed on the inside of the urinary tract (transurethral surgery).

Areas that can be examined include the following:

Urethra or urinary channel, which includes the prostate in men

Bladder, which collects and stores urine

The 2 ureters, which are small internal tubes that conduct the urine made by each kidney into the bladder
A urologic surgeon, or urologist, performs cystoscopy. The procedure involves looking at the urinary tract from the inside. Abnormalities can be detected in this manner, and surgical procedures can be performed.

You would commonly have cystoscopy for the evaluation of blood in the urine. There are many other indications for the procedure, including the evaluation and treatment of kidney stones, bladder or ureteral tumors, prostate surgery, and urethral strictures (narrowings).

Simple procedures can be performed in the doctor's office with only a local anesthetic. Most procedures, however, are performed in a hospital operating room as an outpatient. A variety of different anesthetics can be used to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.