A technique for resection of small bladder tumors using a flexible cystoscope on an outpatient basis: bladder tumor resection with newly designed hot cup forceps

PURPOSE: We describe a technique for resecting small papillary superficial bladder tumors using a new device and flexible cystoscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a 79-year-old man 3 small recurrent papillary bladder tumors were resected transurethrally on an outpatient basis. The procedure was performed using a flexible cystoscope and a newly designed type of cup forceps with the patient under topical anesthesia. No urethral catheter remained indwelling after surgery and the patient was discharged home the same day. RESULTS: Bladder tumor resection using this technique was tolerable to the patient and postoperative bladder hemorrhage was not noted. Resected specimens were adequate for pathological tumor evaluation, which revealed grade 1 stage Ta superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. CONCLUSIONS: This easy technique seems to be tolerated well by the patient. Resected specimens should be adequate for evaluating the pathological grade and depth of stage Ta or T1 superficial bladder cancer. This technique may be an alternative to standard transurethral resection for removing small recurrent bladder lesions in select patients who prefer outpatient management of bladder tumors.