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TREATMENTS AND SURGERIES

Transurethral cystolitholapaxy | TREATMENTS AND SURGERIES

What is a transurethral cystolitholapaxy?

A transurethral cystolitholapaxy is a surgical procedure for eliminating bladder stones. It requires a urologist to pass a cystoscope through the urethra and break up bladder stones that are too large to be expelled spontaneously. Several sessions are sometimes required to avoid having to resort to an open surgery. This minor surgery is usually not painful and is now performed in the confort of our South Shore clinic. Patients leave the same day and benefit from a  nursing service.

Bladder stones

What to do or not to do after cystolitholapaxy?

  • The first day, stay at complete rest.
  • The day after surgery and for the first week, you can walk, but take it gradually, alternating 15-30 minute periods of activity with periods of rest.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects (over 10kg) for 6 weeks.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for 6 weeks.
  • Avoid having sex for 4-6 weeks.
  • Avoid being constipated (you will have medication, if necessary).
  • Drink plenty of water to allow small clots to pass well from the bladder and to make urine clear; about 8 ounces every 2 hours during the day and stop 2-3 hours before bedtime.

What to expect hours after your procedure?

  • You will have a urinary catheter in place and the inside of your bladder will be cleaned periodically with an aqueous solution to rinse off any traces of blood (normal after this type of surgery).
  • The presence of the catheter can cause discomfort or even spasms in the bladder; if this is the case, you may be relieved by medication. You will have a thigh bag for the day and a drainage bag for the night.
  • The urinary catheter will be removed the next day; to do so, you will have the option of going to a CLSC near you or to Les Cliniques Marois.
  • When the urinary catheter is removed and you start to urinate naturally, you may feel urgently needed or even a little pain when passing urine through the urethra; this tends to go away when the inflammation resolves and the muscles get stronger.

    • What’s does a cystolitholapaxy consist of?

    Using a high-resolution camera, a cystoscope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. Next, a fibre laser is inserted. This is the most precise and effective technology for breaking up bladder stones. The fibre laser delivers pulses of energy that gradually fragment the stone into small particles. The particles are removed via the cystoscope. Larger fragments are crushed with specialized forceps.

    In some cases, several rounds of this treatment for bladder stones are required. In particular, it may be essential if visibility issues are present. Additionally, if the urine becomes excessively cloudy or reddish, the procedure is stopped and resumed on another date.

    The duration of the surgery depends primarily on the number of bladder stones and their size.

    In some cases, a urinary catheter may be left in place for 24 to 48 hours.

    Would you like to make an appointment, or do you have any questions? Write to us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

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