Pain Outcomes During Rigid Cystoscopy in Females With and Without Cystoscopic Sheath Obturator

Overview

Rigid cystoscopy is a common procedure to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms in females. This procedure can be done with or without an instrument called a sheath obturator. Both techniques are used by surgeons and are considered safe, but have never been studied to see if one technique leads to less discomfort with the patient's first void after the procedure. The obturator's use may potentially reduce urethral irritation and bothersome postprocedural symptoms, primarily dysuria. The investigators aim to determine whether there is a difference in dysuria outcomes postoperatively when cystoscopy is performed with or without an obturator.

Rigid cystoscopy is a common procedure to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms in females. This procedure can be done with or without an instrument called a sheath obturator (or obturator for short). There are two acceptable insertion techniques for performing cystoscopy in women. Surgeons can perform cystoscope without the use of the obturator by using a "visual" technique where a telescope with a sheath is inserted for entry into the bladder (referred to as cystoscopy without the obturator). Surgeons can also perform cystoscopy by using an obturator with a sheath allowing for smooth entry without needing the telescope (referred to as cystoscopy with the obturator). Both techniques are used by surgeons and are considered safe, but have never been studied to see if one technique leads to less discomfort with the patient's first void after the procedure. The obturator's use may potentially reduce urethral irritation and bothersome postprocedural symptoms, primarily dysuria. The investigators aim to determine whether there is a difference in dysuria outcomes postoperatively when cystoscopy is performed with or without an obturator.