Transurethral bladder surgery is a procedure performed for many reasons including diagnostic examination, removal of bladder calcifications and certain types of cancer. During transurethral surgery, a thin metal tube with a small camera inside it is placed inside the urethra to allow your doctor to see inside the bladder. A wire loop at the end of the tube is used to remove cancer or other tissue. The urethra is a thin tube in the body that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

Transurethral bladder surgery is commonly recommended for the removal of certain types of bladder cancers and to remove enlarged prostate glands in men. In some cases, transurethral bladder surgery is used to open up a blocked ureter or to remove kidney stones.

Alternative treatment may be available depending on the condition. In the case of advanced bladder cancer, alternatives to transurethral bladder surgery include open surgery radiation and chemotherapy.

Prior to any surgery, your doctor will give you a complete medical examination and evaluate your overall health and your health history. You may be required to get additional tests such as X-rays and lab tests. Your doctor will also review with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation and will ask you to sign a consent form. It is important that you ask questions and be sure you understand the reason for the surgery as well as the risks.

It is important that you inform your doctor if you have allergies to any medications, what medications you are taking, and if you have bleeding problems. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant.

Your doctor will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

Depending on the circumstances of your surgery, you may be instructed to do the following:

• Completely empty your colon and cleanse your intestines prior to surgery. You may be requested to drink clear liquids only for one or several days prior to surgery.
• Stop eating or drinking after midnight the night before the operation except medications that your doctor has told you are permissible to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
• Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Find someone to drive you home after the surgery. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties.
• Stop smoking at least six to eight weeks prior to surgery as smoking delays wound healing. Smokers are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery.

After the procedure you may experience some bleeding and discomfort, but you can expect to go home either the same day or the next day. Expect to return to your normal activities in a week or two. You should expect increased frequency of urination and some patients experience incontinence (uncontrolled urination). The urgency to urinate will decrease over time. Follow these recommendations after surgery:

• Drink eight to 10 glasses of water each day to avoid constipation and restrict or moderate alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods in your diet. Try to avoid straining during bowel movements. Your doctor may prescribe stool softeners.
• Restrict strenuous activity for the first couple of weeks after your surgery and don't lift heavy objects over 10 pounds.
• Refrain from sexual activity until your doctor recommends it.
• Follow your doctor's instructions in regards to medications. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
• Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to monitor your progress and recovery.

A variety of factors may influence the cost of the surgery. They include:

• Insurance coverage
• Pre-existing health
• Insurance co-pay
• Location of the facility

These factors vary depending on you and your situation.

The cost of each procedure can vary dramatically based upon age, location, gender, and insurance coverage. HealthGrades provides detailed cost estimates which include the costs of the procedure, drugs, hospital stay, and more. Each cost estimate is easy to understand and provides medical terms you need to know.

The detailed cost estimate for Trans-urethral Bladder Surgery, includes costs for:

• Cystourethroscopic examination of the urethra and bladder using an endoscope inserted through the urethra, with/without clot removal, radiological guidance, or biopsy
• Cystoscope with laser surgery treatment
• Cystoscope with laser surgery to treat lesions of varying sizes
• Cystoscope to insert radioactive materials, dilate the bladder with general or spinal anesthesia
• Cystoscope to make small incisions in strictures
• Endoscope to make incisions into strictures or to treat anal strictures
• Cystoscope to insert a urethral stent, or to inject steroid into stricture
• Cystoscope to remove ureterocele, ectopic ureterocele, bladder diverticulum, foreign body, stone or stent
• Lithotripsy to remove stone of varying sizes
• Cystoscope to remove a stone with use of stent
• Cystoscope to remove a stone with use of ultrasound and stent
• Cystoscope to inject implant material with use of stent
• Cystoscope to manipulate, insert and remove stent during bladder surgery
• Cystoscope to insert stent or guidewire
• Cystoscope to treat ureteral stricture, uteropelvic stricture, or intra-renal stricture including angioplasty
• Cystoscope to treat ureteral stricture, uteropelvic stricture, or intra-renal stricture using a microscope for fragmentation and treatment
• Cystoscope to make cut in the ejaculatory ducts
• Cystoscope to examine area, remove a stone with instruments, obtain biopsy, remove lesion, or treat congenital conditions
• and Cystoscope and lithotripy to remove stone.