Cystodiathermy

Cystodiathermy is a procedure that uses a high frequency electric current that is produced by surgical instruments passed through a Cystoscope. An instrument called a Diathermy is used to produce heat into the bladder wall to lightly burn away any diseased tissue. Conditions such as superficial bladder cancer may be treated using this technique.

Cystodiathermy can be undertaken as an out patient procedure or an in-patient procedure. If the Cystodiathermy is performed as an in-patient procedure, a hospital stay of up to two days may be necessary. The procedure is performed under a light general anaesthetic and may take up to 30 minutes, depending on the position and amount of diseased tissue in the bladder.

It may be necessary to use a catheter (sterile hollow tube connected to a drainage bag) to drain urine from the bladder. The catheter is passed up the urethra and into the bladder at the end of the operation.