Bladder Polyp Removal

Bladder pain is consistent with having polyps, which are small, benign overgrowths that develop in the bladder's lining. Having indigestion, nausea, heartburn, sharp bladder pains, infections and swelling can indicate bladder polyps. After getting diagnosed by a physician, someone suffering from bladder polyps should prepare himself for polyp removal, which is a relatively quick procedure performed in a hospital. Since polyps may return, you must be vigilant at the first sign of bladder pain to prevent overgrowth, cancer, and urinary problems.

Preparation

• People who are preparing for a bladder polyp removal should refrain from urination for an hour before the exam. The doctor may prescribe some pain medication to take before the surgery. Once inside the doctor's office, you will lie with legs apart while the nurse administers antiseptic and local anesthesia to the genital region. You can opt to get general anesthesia, but it is not necessary for such a quick surgery.

Procedure

• The doctor will slowly insert a thin cystoscope, a narrow, tubelike device, through the urethra and up the bladder. You should not feel anything. When the cystoscope is in place, the doctor will then fill the bladder with sterile saline so he can see the inside of the bladder easily with a small camera at the end of the the cystoscope. He then cuts the polyps with a small instrument via the cystoscope or destroys the tissue with electrical current and withdraws the instruments from your body. There is no need for suturing since there are no visible cuts on the body.

Afterward

• After having the polyps removed, you may experience pain upon urination and perhaps some blood in the urine. The doctor may prescribe pain medication and advise you to drink plenty of water to flush out the saline and speed recovery.

Prevention

• Since having benign bladder polyps is strongly associated with smoking, it is best to reduce or quit smoking completely to prevent recurrence. Middle-aged men have a higher incidence of polyps and people who live in a highly urbanized area are more prone to getting polyps, so fresh air and healthy food may be of some benefit to preventing bladder polyps.

Complications

• Some complications that may arise from untreated bladder polyps include possible malignancy and metastasis and chronic inflammation and pain. Bladder polyps almost never go away on their own, so if you are suffering from polyps, have them surgically removed as soon as possible. Most patients who have bladder polyp removal surgery are able to walk and go back to work the next day.