Cystoscopy, Urinary Stents, and Suprapubic Tubes to Assist with Pelvic Surgery

Urology and gynecology have had aligned training and interests as female pelvic surgeons. Many devices commonly used in urology today were derived from innovative gynecologists. This chapter reviews common urology procedures for the operative gynecologist to be knowledgeable regarding techniques and safety. Cystoscopy today is taught universally in most gynecology training programs. Less commonly taught is the utilization of ureteral stents and suprapubic tubes. These procedures are already widely used in some urogynecology and gynecologic oncology training programs. This chapter reviews the general indications, procedural training points, and potential pitfalls to avoid complications for the general operative gynecologist. As tertiary and quaternary medical centers have urologists on staff, there is a growing shortage of urologists available to smaller community medical centers. As these urology shortages grow in the future, it is important for the gynecologist outside of the large metropolitan university setting to be able to safely perform these procedures if the need should arise. This chapter gives general indications, provides procedural instructions, and additionally operates as a basic materials guide for these procedures.