Transurethral resection of bladder tumours (TURBT) using a wire loop remains the gold-standard treatment for bladder tumours, but it is associated with unacceptably high early recurrence rates after first resection. Improvements to standard resection techniques and a range of optical and technological advances offer exciting possibilities for improving outcomes. Early second resection has been shown to reduce recurrence rates, and increase response to intravesical chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. It should be considered in most high-risk non-muscle invasive cancers (T1; G3; multifocal) being managed by bladder conservation. Newer energy sources, such as laser, may facilitate day case management of bladder tumours using local anaesthesia in select groups of patients. The novel technique of photodynamic diagnosis improves tumour detection, and quality of resection, and is likely to become the standard for initial tumour management. The traditional 'incise and scatter' resection technique goes against all oncological surgical principles. En-bloc resection of tumours would be far preferable and demands further development and evaluation. The technique of TURBT needs to evolve to allow first-time clearance of disease and low recurrence rates.