Trans-Urethal Resection of a Bladder Tumour (TURBT)

Indications:

Trans-Urethral Resection of a Bladder Tumour (TURBT) is an endoscopic (telescopic) operation performed for the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal growths on the surface of the bladder. Most bladder tumours can be treated with this technique.
Risk factors for developing these tumours include :

• heavy smoking
• working with chemicals and dyes
• swimming in waters infested with certain organisms found in hot climates
  
  

Surgery:

The operation is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia.
A special instrument is passed through the urethra (waterpipe) and into the bladder.
Following complete inspection, the abnormal area is removed using a loop with a high frequency electrical current. In order to ensure complete removal, the growths are usually removed along with part of the underlying bladder-wall muscle, and are sent to a laboratory to be examined under the microscope.

A catheter is placed in the bladder to allow washing of the bladder. If a tumour is suspected, a solution of chemotherapy is often injected into the bladder via the catheter, within the first 24 hours.

Post-Operative Recovery:

The catheter is removed after 24 - 48 hours, and patients return home after they have passed water.
It is usual to experience some blood in the urine for up to ten days following this procedure.
You may return to work two weeks after the procedure. If your work involves heavy lifting, you should resume alittle later.
Patients may exercise gently after a week but avoid contact sports for a month.
You may begin driving once you feel comfortable to do so.
You may resume sexual relations as soon as you feel comfortable, provided there is no bleeding.
The laboratory results are discussed in the out-patient clinic two weeks following the surgery.
Occasionally, the specimens that have been removed show that the growth may be deep in the bladder wall, and further, more comprehensive treatment may be required. Patients require regular check-ups to ensure that further growths do not recur. This can be done with a much smaller telescope under local anaesthetic.