Trans Urethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT)

You have just had a TURBT, which involves telescope is inserted via the urethra (water pipe) into the bladder and the surgeon will remove the tumour using diathermy (an electric current). Your bladder may then be washed out using a chemotherapy solution called Mitomycin, which aims to reduce any recurrence of the tumour.  

Bleeding  

At home you may still see blood in your urine. This is normal and can last for up to 4 weeks. As with any wounds, scabs form and eventually drop off, causing minor bleeding. If this happens, you should drink plenty of fluids to dilute any blood that is present. If the bleeding is heavy, or lasts for more than 48 hours then you should contact your GP. 

You may continue to pass urine frequently. This should gradually improve over the next few weeks and months. Continue to practice any pelvic floor exercises you have been taught.  

Pain 

It is advisable to take pain relief regularly. Always follow the instructions on the side of the packet and do not exceed the recommended daily dose. 

If you experience increasing frequency of needing to pass urine, pain while passing urine, or you develop a temperature, there is a possibility you may have a urine infection. Please contact your GP or out of hours service. You may be asked to provide a urine sample and if necessary take a course of antibiotics.  

Activity 

Strenuous exercise such as gardening, decorating, heavy lifting, golf, and cycling should be avoided for two weeks. You should gradually increase your level of activity after that. The speed of recovery will vary from patient to patient, but as a general guide between four to six weeks is seen as normal.  

Gentle walking and swimming are beneficial and can be undertaken immediately. 

You must not drive for the first twenty four hours if you have had sedation or a general anaesthetic. This is a requirement of the Road Traffic Act.  Driving is best avoided for two weeks after the operation, but you may travel as a passenger of a car immediately. Driving for long distances should best be avoided until you have completely recovered. 

Sexual activity can be resumed as soon as you feel comfortable. 

Try not to strain when you go to the toilet. If you become constipated, contact your family doctor (GP) for advice. 

You own circumstances will depend on when you can go back to work. Most light jobs may be resumed after four weeks, and any heavy jobs should be avoided for at least six weeks. 

General information 

You may have a catheter. This will be removed by the district nurses on ………………. You will be given advice on how to manage your catheter at home with supplies provided. 

When the catheter has been removed, you may experience some difficulties, for example needing to pass urine frequently and urgently. You may also experience some dribbling. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. It occurs because it takes time for the area operated on and the bladder to recover.  

Follow up  

These fragments that have been removed are then sent for analysis to the laboratory. These results may take between two to three weeks to analyse. Once the results are back you will either be seen in clinic or a telephone follow up.  

Contact information 

We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to the following staff:

GP or out of hours GP 

NHS Direct 111 

Dorchester Day Surgery Unit: 01305 254501 (day of procedure only) 

Lulworth Ward after 7pm/8pm: 01305 255471 

Abbotsbury Ward after 7pm/8pm: 01305 255150 

Urology Nurse Specialist: 01305 255415 

Continence Advisors: 01305 259978 

Consultant Urological Surgeons
Mr N Afzal 01305 255468 

Mr R David 01305 255274 

Miss F New 01305 255470 

Mr R Blegay 01305 255468 

Mr M Bajwa 01305 255274 

Mr Q Chaudhry 01305 255274 

About this leaflet:

Authors: Andy Goffe, Cancer Nurse Specialist, Kirsten Ryan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Miss F New, Urology Consultant, Kayleigh Fairchild, Deputy Sister  
Written: July 2017  
Updated and approved: July 2025  
Review date: July 2028 
Edition: v2 

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk