What is Hydrodistention of the Bladder

Hydrodistention is a procedure to examine the bladder. During hydrodistention, the bladder is filled with germ-free (sterile) fluid until it is more full than normal (distended). This makes it easier to see the bladder walls clearly.

To do this procedure, a thin, tube-shaped instrument with a light and a tiny camera at the end (cystoscope) is passed through the urethra and into the bladder. The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder out of the body. In men, the urethra opens at the end of the penis. In women, the urethra opens in front of the vaginal opening.

This procedure is commonly done to help diagnose a condition that causes inflammation of the bladder (interstitial cystitis). It may also be done to remove a sample of bladder tissue to be checked under a microscope (biopsy).

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to the bladder or other structures or organs.
• Difficulty urinating.
• Temporary inability to urinate.
• Worsening pain.

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Do not use any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and electronic cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
• You may have an exam or testing.
• You may have a blood sample taken.
• You may have urine tests to check for signs of infection.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
• If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • The area around your urethra will be washed with soap.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
  • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
  • A medicine that is injected into your spine to numb the area below and slightly above the injection site (spinal anesthetic).
• The cystoscope will be inserted through your urethra and into your bladder.
• Fluid will be pumped through the cystoscope and into your bladder until your bladder is distended. The amount of fluid that is needed to fill your bladder will be measured.
• Your health care provider will look at the inside of your bladder. If a biopsy is needed, a sample of bladder tissue may be removed.
• Fluid will be drained from your bladder, and the cystoscope will be removed.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• You may continue to receive fluids and medicines through an IV tube.
• You may have some blood in your urine.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.
• You may have some soreness and discomfort in your urethra and lower abdomen.

Hydrodistention of the Bladder, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Soreness and mild discomfort in your lower abdomen.
• Mild pain when you urinate. Pain should stop within a few minutes after you urinate. This may last for up to a week.
• A small amount of blood in your urine.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Lifestyle

• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
• Do not use any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg) until your health care approves.

Eating and drinking

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.

General instructions

• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
• Wear compression stockings as told by your health care provider. These stockings help to prevent blood clots and reduce swelling in your legs.
• If a tissue sample was removed for testing (biopsy) during your procedure, it is your responsibility to get your test results. Ask your health care provider or the department performing the test when your results will be ready.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have blood clots in your urine.
• You have pain that gets worse or does not get better with medicine, especially pain when you urinate.
• You have difficulty urinating.
• You feel nauseous or you vomit for more than 2 days after the procedure.
• You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe pain in your abdomen.
• You cannot urinate.