Experience with the Rigid Cysto-urethroscope: A Multicentre Review in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Cysto-urethroscopy or cystoscopy is an important tool for the practicing urologist for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The indications for cystoscopy vary widely from centre to centre. We describe our experience with this tool.
Materials and Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of patients who had rigid cystoscopy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Symbol specialist hospital, Nnewi and Borromeo specialist hospital Onitsha, all in Anambra State, Southeast,Nigeria in the period January 2004 to December 2009. All indications were as reported in the initial diagnosis for all the patients.
Results: A total of one hundred and eleven patients had cystoscopy during the study period. Most of the patients who had cystoscopy were in the seventh48 (43.3%) and fifth26 (23.4%) decades of life. The male to female ratio was 2:1. The commonest indication for cystoscopy was for investigation of bladder tumors in 50(45.0%) of the patients. Other indications were for the investigation of hematuria in 31(28.0%) patients,
hydronephrosis in 13(11.8%), urethral stricture 9(8.1%), cystitis 2(1.8%), bladder calculi 3(2.7%), prostatitis 1( 0.9%), bladder fistula 1(0.9%), and urinary incontinence 1(0.9%).
Conclusion: The indications for Cystoscopy vary from centre to centre. In our experience, the most common indication is for bladder tumors. The procedure is well tolerated by patients with a low incidence of morbidity. Studies have shown that the flexible cystoscope offers more advantage in that it is less invasive and can be done under local anaesthesia.

Niger Med J. Vol. 51, No. 4,Oct. – Dec., 2010: 180 – 181.

Keywords: Cysto-urethroscopy, cystoscopy, flexible cystoscope,
rigid cystoscope.