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Cystoscopy in Children: What to Expect at Home

Your Child's Recovery

Your child had a procedure called a cystoscopy. The doctor used a tool called a cystoscope (scope) to look inside your child's bladder and urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body.

Your child may have also had a ureteroscopy. For this procedure, the doctor used a scope to look inside your child's ureters. These are tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

If there was a blockage, such as a kidney stone, the doctor may have removed it. The doctor may have placed a thin, hollow tube (stent) in a ureter. The doctor will tell you when the stent will be removed. The doctor may have taken a small tissue sample (biopsy) to send to a lab for testing.

Your child's urethra may be sore at first. It may burn when your child urinates for the first few days after the procedure. Your child may feel the need to urinate more often, and the urine may be pink. These symptoms should get better in 1 or 2 days.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for your child to recover. But each child recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to help your child get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for your child at home?

Activity

Have your child rest when they feel tired.
Many children are able to return to normal activities within 1 to 2 days after surgery.

Diet

Your child can eat a normal diet. If your child's stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
Have your child drink plenty of fluids. If your child has to limit fluids because of a health problem, talk with your doctor before you increase how much your child drinks.

Medicines

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
- Store your child's prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
- Do not give your child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
If the doctor prescribed antibiotics for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.

Hygiene

If your child does not have a catheter, they may take a warm bath once or twice a day to help with pain. To reduce the chances of irritation and pain, avoid bubble baths. Use soap only at the end of the bath.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
Your child has severe trouble breathing.
Your child has chest pain, is short of breath, or coughs up blood.
Your child has severe belly pain.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

Your child is sick to their stomach or cannot keep fluids down.
Your child's urine is still red or you see blood clots after your child has urinated several times.
Your child has trouble passing urine or stool, especially if they have pain or swelling in their lower belly.
Your child has signs of a blood clot in their leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in the leg or groin.
- A colour change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your child's usual skin colour.
Your child develops a fever or severe chills.
Your child has pain in the back just below the rib cage. This is called flank pain.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

Your child has pain or burning when they urinate. A burning feeling is normal for a day or two after the procedure, but call if it doesn't get better.
Your child has a frequent urge to urinate but can pass only small amounts of urine.
Your child's urine is pink, red, or cloudy, or it smells bad. It's normal for the urine to have a pinkish colour for a few days after the procedure, but call if it doesn't get better.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter B567 in the search box to learn more about "Cystoscopy in Children: What to Expect at Home".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.