Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Immediate versus delayed outpatient flexible cystoscopy: final report of a randomized study
1Department of Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
Purpose:
To evaluate discomfort experienced by men undergoing an immediate versus delayed outpatient flexible cystoscopy after topical local anesthesia.
Patients And Methods:
Two hundred eighty eight consecutive men with superficial bladder tumors were randomized to undergo immediate or delayed surveillance flexible cystoscopy after intraurethral instillation of lidocaine jelly. The patients recorded their level of pain experienced during cystoscopy on a 4-point pain scale and on a 10-point visual analogue (VAS) scale.
Results:
Of the 288 patients, 145 underwent immediate cystoscopy and 143 had a delayed cystoscopy. The mean pain score on a scale of 1 (no pain) to 4 (severe pain) was 1.6 after immediate cystoscopy compared with 1.5 after delayed cystoscopy (p=7). The mean VAS score on a scale of 1 (no pain) to 10 (most painful) was 1.8 after immediate cystoscopy versus 1.7 after delayed cystoscopy (p=5).
Conclusion:
There was no difference in pain perception among men undergoing an immediate or a delayed outpatient flexible cystoscopy using the same local anesthetic.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Urologic Endoscopic Procedure: Cystoscopic Examination

