Real-time visualization during flexible cystoscopy alleviates pain in male patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of real-time visualization during flexible cystoscopy in alleviating pain in male patients.Methods A total of 110 male patients undergoing diagnostic and monitoring flexile cystoscopy were randomized into 2 equal groups.Group A included 55 patients who were allowed to view the procedure on a video monitor;Group B included 55 patients who were not allowed to.All procedures were finished by a single urologist.Patients in both groups were given explanation before cystoscopy,and those in Group A were also given explanation when they were watching the video monitor.The patients' pain feeling was recorded on an VAS(visual analog pain scale) ranging from 0 to 10 after flexible cystoscopy.The pulse and respiratory rate were also recorded.Results The patients in Group A had a significantly lower VAS score than those in Group B(1.29±1.20 vs 3.36±2.46,P0.001).The postprocedure pulse rate and respiratory rate were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion To be allowed to watch the flexible cystoscopy procedure on a video monitor with simultaneous explanation can alleviate pain in male patients.