Typically, a topical anesthetic, most often xylocaine gel (common brand names are Anestacon and Instillagel) is employed.

Cystoscopy may be recommended for any of the following conditions:[1] If a patient has a stone lodged higher in the urinary tract, the physician may use a much finer calibre scope called a ureteroscope through the bladder and up into the ureter.

The physician can then see the stone and remove it with a small basket at the end of a wire that is inserted through an extra tube in the ureteroscope.

[citation needed] In blue light cystoscopy hexyl aminolevulinate hydrochloride is instilling a photosensitizing agent, into the bladder.

Under subsequent blue light illumination, neoplastic lesions fluoresce red, enabling visualization of tumors.

[6][7] Prior to the early 1990s, it was common practice for the physician performing the procedure to prescribe an antibiotic to take for a few days to prevent an infection.

Since that time, many urologists will order a "urine C & S" (urinalysis with bacterial/fungal cultures and testing for sensitivities to anti-infective medications) prior to the performance of the cystoscopy, and as part of the pre-operative workup.

Depending on the results of the testing and other circumstances, he or she may elect to prescribe a 10- to 14-day course of antibiotic or other anti-infective treatment, commencing 3 days before the cystoscopy is to be performed, as this may alleviate some inflammation of the urethra prior to the procedure.

[citation needed] This practice may provide an additional benefit by preventing an accidental infection from occurring during the procedure.

Procedures using rigid instrumentation more frequently result in short-term urinary incontinence and leakage due to urethral damage.

Occasionally, patients may feel some lower abdominal pains, reflecting bladder muscle spasms, but these are not common.

[9][10][11] In turtle and tortoises, cystoscopy has additional value as it permits the visualisation of internal organs due to the thin urinary bladder wall.