Thulium Fiber Laser En-bloc Resection vs Conventional Transurethral Resection of Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer

After cystoscopy and determining tumor topography, a circumferential incision around the tumor is made in the visually intact bladder mucosa (approximately 10 mm from the edges of the tumor). It allows for accurate morphological evaluation of the surgical margin. After that, the incision is continued deeper into the muscular layer. Having identified the layer, the surgeon resects the base of the tumor with the muscular layer using traction and incisions of the muscle fibers. Making incisions in the muscular layer requires precision, a full bladder and adequate guidance with visualization techniques. Traction may be employed with the help of the tip of the resectoscope or working element. After complete tumor resection, local hemostasis was performed.

After cystoscopy and determining tumor topography, a step-by-step resection of a tumor is done. Firstly, visible tumor is resected, then resection continues to the apparently normal mucosa on the border of the tumor, than resection of the muscle layer at the base of the tumor is performed until normal muscle fibers are visible.