A new small‐calibre diagnostic flexible cystoscope

Objective To determine whether flexible cystoscopy with a prototype slim flexible instrument is less uncomfortable than flexible cystoscopy using a standard flexible cystoscope. Patients and methods In all, 200 men scheduled to undergo flexible cystoscopy for the follow‐up of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were randomized in equal groups to flexible cystoscopy using the standard instrument or using the prototype slim‐scope. Each patient had 11 mL of 2% lignocaine gel instilled intraurethrally 5 min before the procedure. At the end of the procedure the patient was asked to complete a 100‐mm non‐graphical visual analogue scale to rate how uncomfortable the procedure was. Results The slim‐scope was very significantly less uncomfortable than the conventional instrument (anovaP