Aquablation therapy is an advanced, minimally invasive robotic treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that provides long-lasting relief with low rates of complications. This next-generation BPH treatment may provide significant symptom relief with less risk of side effects that impact quality of life compared to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). For many years in select patients, TURP has been accepted as the gold standard to surgically alleviate obstructive voiding dysfunction in men with BPH.

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), common in men over the age of 50, is enlargement of the prostate, which occurs when the cells of the prostate gland begin to multiply. These extra cells cause the prostate gland to swell, which squeezes the urethra and limits the flow of urine. BPH is not the same as prostate cancer and doesn’t increase the risk of cancer. It can, however, cause symptoms that can affect your quality of life.

The AquaBeam^® Robotic System

Aquablation therapy is performed with the The AquaBeam® Robotic System (also termed water-jet ablation), designed for the resection (cutting out) and removal of prostate tissue in males suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The AquaBeam® Robotic System is the first FDA cleared surgical robot utilizing automated tissue resection for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH.

Through the assistance of a robot, the surgeon maps the exact treatment contour, and then monitors as the robot executes the treatment plan, guiding a precisely calibrated heat-free waterjet with speed and accuracy. The waterjet, pulsating near the speed of sound, removes prostatic tissue.

Potential benefits may include the following:

• More minimally invasive approach than other robotic-assisted surgeries
• Can treat an extensive range of prostate sizes and shapes for BPH
• No incisions are needed with access to the prostate through the urethra
• Less blood loss, less erectile dysfunctions and a higher rate of continence preservation and ejaculatory functioning
• Catheter time is one to three days following surgery
• Less anesthesia time for the patient
• Procedure is less than 40 minutes, with actual average resection time of less than 10 minutes