A trans urethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is usually the first treatment you have for early bladder cancer.
Your surgeon removes the tumour in your bladder through the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body.
You might have TURBT to remove early bladder cancer :You usually have it under general anaesthetic, which means you are asleep. In some hospitals, you may have a spinal anaesthetic instead of a general anaesthetic. This is an injection into your spine (epidural) so you can’t feel anything from below your waist.
This treatment takes between 15 to 90 minutes.
The surgeon puts a thin rigid tube called a cystoscope into your urethra.
The cystoscope has optic fibres inside it, a light, camera and eyepiece at one end. The surgeon can look through the eyepiece or see images on a TV screen.
The surgeon passes small instruments down the cystoscope to cut any tumours out of your bladder lining.
You usually have this at the hospital in the day surgery unit. You might go home on the same day of your operation. But sometimes you have to stay in overnight or for a couple of days.
A nurse usually sees you in pre-assessment clinic a week or two before surgery.
They’ll take some measurements (weight, temperature, heart and breathing rate, oxygen levels and your blood pressure).
You might have a blood test, chest x-ray and ECG. This is normal for anyone having a general anaesthetic.
The nurse gives you instructions about the operation and what to bring on the day. It’s a good idea to bring an overnight bag. They’ll also tell you when to stop eating or drinking.
For a general anaesthetic, you usually have to stop eating at least 6 hours beforehand. And you can drink sips of water up to 2 hours before.
On the day of your operation you’ll see the surgeon who will explain the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. This is a good time to ask any questions.
You’ll also meet your anaesthetist who will get you to sleep and look after you while you’re asleep.
The nurse gives you a hospital gown to change into. So you need to remove all your clothing.
The nurse and porter take you to the anaesthetic room on a theatre trolley.
You usually have a small tube put into your vein (cannula) before you have the anaesthetic. This is so they can give you medicines directly into your vein. Most hospitals also give you an injection of antibiotics before the procedure.
Once you are asleep or the spinal anaesthetic is working your surgeon passes the cystoscope into your urethra.
They use the cystoscope to look at the inside of your bladder. They also pass small instruments down the cystoscope. They use these instruments to remove any tumors. They then use a probe to seal (cauterize) the area to stop any bleeding.
