A cystoscope is a thin tube with a camera and light on the end. During a cystoscopy, a doctor inserts this tube through your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your bladder) and into your bladder so they can visualize the inside of your bladder. Magnified images from the camera are displayed on a screen where your doctor can see them.

Purpose

Reasons for having a cystoscopy

Your doctor might order this test if you have urinary problems, such as a constant need to urinate or painful urination. Your doctor might also order the procedure to investigate reasons for:

• blood in your urine
• frequent urinary tract infections
• an overactive bladder
• pelvic pain

A cystoscopy can reveal several conditions, including bladder tumors, stones, or cancer. Your doctor can also use this procedure to diagnose:

• blockages
• enlarged prostate gland
• noncancerous growths
• problems with the ureters (tubes connecting your bladder to your kidneys)

A cystoscopy can also be used to treat underlying bladder conditions. Your doctor can pass tiny surgical tools through the scope to remove small bladder tumors and stones or to take a sample of bladder tissue.

Other uses include:

• taking a urine sample to check for tumors or infection
• inserting a small tube to assist with urine flow
• injecting dye so kidney problems can be identified on an X-ray

Preparation

Preparing for a cystoscopy

Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics before and after the procedure if you have a UTI or a weak immune system. You may also need to give a urine sample before the test. If your doctor plans to give you general anesthesia, you’ll feel groggy afterward. That means before the procedure, you’ll need to arrange a ride home. Plan to take time to rest at home after the procedure, as well.

Ask your doctor if you can continue taking any regular medications. Certain medications can cause excessive bleeding during the procedure.

Overview

A hysteroscopy is a procedure in which your doctor inserts a small-diameter device into your uterus. This device has a light and a small camera on the end to allow the doctor to see inside your uterus.

There are a number of situations in which your doctor may recommend this procedure. It can be used for either surgical or diagnostic purposes. It may be used:

• for visual confirmation of another test result
• to aid in the removal of fibroids and polyps
• in conjunction with a laparoscopic procedure
• prior to a dilation and curettage procedure
• to discover any malformation of the uterus

Procedure

Your primary doctor may refer you to a specialist for this procedure. The procedure will take place with you in the same position as you’re normally in for a gynecological exam, with your feet in the stirrups at the end of the exam table.

During a hysteroscopy:

• The doctor will first spread the cervix with a tool called a speculum. This is also like what happens during a gynecological exam.
• The doctor will then insert the hysteroscopy device in through your vaginal opening. They will continue moving it through the cervix and then into the uterus.
• A liquid or carbon dioxide gas will then be gently sent into your uterus through the device to clear the surface and to help widen it slightly.
• The light and camera on the end of the hysteroscope allow the doctor to see the uterus and fallopian tubes. This allows them to diagnose any issues or to perform any surgical procedures necessary.

If the procedure is being used for surgery, the surgical devices will also be put through the hysteroscope tube to perform the surgery.

The procedure shouldn’t be painful. However, you may experience some cramping during the procedure. Your doctor may order some type of sedative for you to take beforehand so that you’ll be more relaxed. The extent of anesthesia you need will depend on the purpose of your hysteroscopy. It’ll also depend on where you have your hysteroscopy. It can be done either in your doctor’s office or at a hospital.

The procedure itself can take anywhere from just 5 minutes to 30 minutes depending on what’s being done.

For most diagnostic-only purposes, the hysteroscopy can be done in your doctor’s office with just local or regional anesthesia. This is typically true for the simple removal of small polyps as well. When the hysteroscopy is being used in conjunction with a more in-depth surgical procedure, it may be done in a hospital. In that case, the doctor will use a regional or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the surgery that’s required.

Minimally invasive techniques are being increasingly applied in thoracic surgery. Today, diagnosis and therapy for diseases involving tumors of the lungs, the mediastinum, and the chest wall can be carried out using minimally invasive approaches. More than 60% of the interventions are carried out using endoscopic techniques. Shorter hospital stays for patients and a reduction in post-operative complaints are the result. 

Storz supplies the complete product range for endoscopic thoracic surgery. It also comprises innovative system solutions for single-port thoracoscopy, video mediastinoscopy and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). 

A long track record of experience in thoracic endoscopy – an area in our company with strong links to bronchoscopy – allows synergies to be achieved.

What is laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, is a surgical diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. It’s a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions.

Laparoscopy uses an instrument called a laparoscope to look at the abdominal organs. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front. The instrument is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall. As it moves along, the camera sends images to a video monitor.

Laparoscopy allows your doctor to see inside your body in real time, without open surgery. Your doctor also can obtain biopsy samples during this procedure.

Purpose

Why is laparoscopy performed?

Laparoscopy is often used to identify and diagnose the source of pelvic or abdominal pain. It’s usually performed when noninvasive methods are unable to help with diagnosis.

In many cases, abdominal problems can also be diagnosed with imaging techniques such as:

• ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the body
• CT scan, which is a series of special X-rays that take cross-sectional images of the body
• MRI scan, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce images of the body

Laparoscopy is performed when these tests don’t provide enough information or insight for a diagnosis. The procedure may also be used to take a biopsy, or sample of tissue, from a particular organ in the abdomen.

Your doctor may recommend laparoscopy to examine the following organs:

• appendix
• gallbladder
• liver
• pancreas
• small intestine and large intestine (colon)
• spleen
• stomach
• pelvic or reproductive organs

By observing these areas with a laparoscope, your doctor can detect:

• an abdominal mass or tumor
• fluid in the abdominal cavity
• liver disease
• the effectiveness of certain treatments
• the degree to which a particular cancer has progressed

As well, your doctor may be able to perform an intervention to treat your condition immediately after diagnosis.

Risks

What are the risks of laparoscopy?

The most common risks associated with laparoscopy are bleeding, infection, and damage to organs in your abdomen. However, these are rare occurrences.

After your procedure, it’s important to watch for any signs of infection. Contact your doctor if you experience:

• fevers or chills
• abdominal pain that becomes more intense over time
• redness, swelling, bleeding, or drainage at the incision sites
• continuous nausea or vomiting
• persistent cough
• shortness of breath
• inability to urinate
• lightheadedness

There is a small risk of damage to the organs being examined during laparoscopy. Blood and other fluids may leak out into your body if an organ is punctured. In this case, you’ll need other surgery to repair the damage.

Less common risks include:

• complications from general anesthesia
• inflammation of the abdominal wall
• a blood clot, which could travel to your pelvis, legs, or lungs

In some circumstances, your surgeon may believe the risk of diagnostic laparoscopy is too high to warrant the benefits of using a minimally invasive technique. This situation often occurs for those who’ve had prior abdominal surgeries, which increases the risk of forming adhesions between structures in the abdomen. Performing laparoscopy in the presence of adhesions will take much longer and increases the risk of injuring organs.

Preparation

How do I prepare for laparoscopy?

You should tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Your doctor will tell you how they should be used before and after the procedure.

Your doctor may change the dose of any medications that could affect the outcome of laparoscopy. These drugs include:

• anticoagulants, such as blood thinners
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin (Bufferin) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB)
• other medications that affect blood clotting
• herbal or dietary supplements
• vitamin K

You should also tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This will reduce the risk of harm to your developing baby.

Before laparoscopy, your doctor may order blood tests, urinalysis, electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), and chest X-ray. Your doctor might also perform certain imaging tests, including an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan.

These tests can help your doctor better understand the abnormality being examined during laparoscopy. The results also give your doctor a visual guide to the inside of your abdomen. This can improve the effectiveness of laparoscopy.

You’ll probably need to avoid eating and drinking for at least eight hours before laparoscopy. You should also arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home after the procedure. Laparoscopy is often performed using general anesthesia, which can make you drowsy and unable to drive for several hours after surgery.

The Sinuscope is s high definition optical scope used to examine nasal and sinus passages. This rigid scope is designed with exceptional fiber optic lens technology, providing clear images of the finest structures in the inspection area.

Available in Two Sizes:

2.7 mm HD Sinuscope:

• Working Length: 110 mm
• Viewing Direction: 0º standard angle, 30º standard angle or 70º standard angle

2.7 mm HD Sinuscope:

• Working Length: 187 mm
• Viewing Direction: 0º standard angle, 30º standard angle, or 70º standard angle

Autoclavable:

• 18 minutes at 273º F (134º C)

Pediatrics comprises a broadly based, specialist spectrum in the diagnosis and therapy from newborn through to adolescents. 

The dialog with physicians and researchers, the experience and know-how in endoscopy also form the platform for instrument sets in pediatrics, designed to meet the anatomical and pathological circumstances of children and adolescents. 

The product portfolio of Storz for these patients comprises the diciplines ENT, abdominal, thoracic and tumor surgery, through to pediatric urology and orthopedics. 

Minimizing the potential risks of interventions and reducing the trauma for small patients – the miniaturization of instruments was an important milestone on this way.