A TURBT is the surgical removal of a bladder tumour via telescope. Typically, a general anaesthetic or spinal anaesthetic is administered by the anaesthetist. The bladder tumour is visualised by a telescope that is passed through the urethra into the bladder. The bladder tumour is then resected, and those fragments are sent to the pathologist for a formal diagnosis.

Typically, after the procedure a catheter will be placed into the bladder that will irrigate the bladder over the course of 1-2 days until there is no further bleeding, and the catheter can be removed. You will have another consultation in the days after the procedure for the formal diagnosis and planning of the next steps in your treatment.

In the first few days after the procedure you may feel a stinging as you pass urine and this is usually related to the procedure itself and the catheter that was placed. Taking Ural sachets for 2-3 days after TURBT may help with these symptoms. There may be some blood in the urine seen 10-14 days after the procedure, and this is quite standard. This is usually self-limiting, and you should increase your water intake to flush the clots out of your bladder. If there is a large amount of blood clots being passed when you empty your bladder, please contact the practice.