Does sodium bicarbonate reduce painful voiding after flexible cystoscopy? A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Abstract

Objective To determine if sodium bicarbonate (Ural®) reduces painful voiding after flexible cystoscopy. Patients and Methods 300 patients over 18 years old undergoing elective flexible cystoscopy were enrolled in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with active urinary tract infections, indwelling urinary catheters and/or requiring additional procedures such as biopsy and dilatation were excluded. Painful voiding was quantified using a pain analogue scale from 0 to 10. Pre-existing painful voiding, previous experience with Ural® and flexible cystoscopy were recorded. Flexible cystoscopy was performed to a standard protocol. Patients were randomised after recruitme..