New trial for fiberoptic cystourethroscopy: the use of metal sheath.
To overcome the disadvantages of using the fiberscope to observe the lower urinary tract we devised a metal sheath, which is used in combination with the fiberoptic cystourethroscope. The metal sheath helps in a smooth introduction of the fiberscope through the urethra and also in a close approximation of the fiberscope to the lesion. Fiberoptic cystourethroscopes combined with the metal sheath are useful in observing the bladder neck, the pedicle of tumors, the inner surface of the diverticulum and the condition of the intestine anastomosed with the bladder, which the current rigid endoscopes cannot approach. Photographs of the lower urinary tract were easily taken with this metal sheath method. However, the fiberoptic cystourethroscopes have a much smaller field of view, lower resolution and mor obscurity in the view. These drawbacks should be improved in the future.
D020684:Cystoscopes; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D014521:Urethra