WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about a transurethral resection of bladder tumors? Transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) is surgery to remove one or more tumors from your bladder. How do I prepare for surgery? Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. He may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery. What will happen during surgery? Your surgeon will insert a scope through your urethra and into your bladder. He will put fluid through the scope to wash your bladder and widen it for surgery. The scope will have a wire with an electric current. The current is used to stop bleeding in your bladder and remove bladder tumors. Your surgeon may also remove muscle and tissue from your bladder. He may use the scope to insert medicine into your bladder. The medicine will destroy pieces of tumor in your bladder and help prevent new tumors from growing. Your surgeon will remove the scope. What are the risks of surgery? You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Your bladder may be damaged. It may be painful to urinate, or you may have blood in your urine. You may feel discomfort in your abdomen or pelvis. You may feel like you need to urinate more often or without warning. You may develop more bladder tumors. |