Transurethral Bladder Tumour Removal

The majority of bladder tumours are limited to the lining of the bladder and can be treated telescopically. This avoids some of the risks of open surgery and allows for a shorter hospital stay and rapid recovery of normal function. It is performed under general anaesthetic, the telescope being passed into the bladder via the urethra. A catheter may be left a few days to wash out blood and clots and to allow the bladder to heal.

• Superficial bladder tumour tends to recur and therefore repeated cystoscopies (telescopic examinations of the bladder) and TUR bladder tumour are required. There is a set schedule for this.
• Recurrences may be reduced by quitting smoking and possibly by increasing fluid intake and vitamins.
• Some patients will require a course of chemotherapy bladder washouts.
• A minority of patients go on to more major open surgery.

Pre-operatively:

• urine sample to the laboratory 1 week prior to surgery
• discontinue aspirin 1 week prior, other medications may need to be stopped
• nil by mouth from midnight

Post-operatively – early:

• day 1: diet, reinstate usual medications, out of bed into chair, maintain a high fluid intake (2 litres daily) for 2 weeks
• day 1 - 2: remove urethral catheter and assess voiding, then home
• avoid heavy lifting for 4 weeks; thereafter resume full normal activity including sexual intercourse

Although most cases proceed without particular difficulty and have excellent outcomes, surgical complications occur overall in 5% of patients. The list below details complications recognised as common or serious, but this does not include the rare and extraordinary.

• Following removal of the catheter, most patients experience some burning with voiding, frequency and urgency, some pelvic pain
• Bleeding requiring transfusion in < 5%
• Infection
• Bladder perforation and significant fluid extravasation < 0.5%
• Numbness or tingling, usually temporary
• Death < 0.5%

This fact sheet complements the discussion during your consultation, which will apply your individual circumstances to the above facts.