A simple technique for evacuating air bubbles with scum from the bladder dome during transurethral resection of...

Air bubbles floating in the bladder dome during transurethral resection of a bladder tumor can interfere with the resection, causing intravesical explosion and increasing the potential risk of tumor cell reimplantation. We describe a simple and effective technique for evacuating air bubbles from the bladder dome using routine resectoscopes. First, the beak of the resectoscope is positioned near the air bubble in the bladder dome. Second, the drainage channel of the resectoscope is closed. Third, the irrigation tube is detached from the irrigation channel, and then the channel is opened. Subsequently, the air bubble with entangled scum will be retrogradely aspirated from the beak of the resectoscope to the irrigation channel. Reversing the direction of the water stream enables evacuation of the air bubble with the scum under direct vision. This simple and effective technique may assist surgeons and ensure the safety of patients during a transurethral procedure.