Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a medical condition where the prostate gland in men grows larger. This size increase typically happens as men age, often leading to bothersome urinary symptoms such as:
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty starting urination
- A weak urine flow
- The feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
If you’ve experienced this, you understand how challenging symptom management can be. When alternatives like medications or lifestyle changes haven’t provided the relief you need, Aquablation therapy might be the solution you’re looking for.
What Is Aquablation Therapy?
Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive procedure designed to remove the prostate tissue causing your symptoms. Unlike traditional surgery, there is no need for an abdominal incision because the prostate is accessed through the urethra. The urethra is the tube through which urine exits the body.
This therapy combines robotic technology’s precision with a high-velocity water jet. This combination delivers accuracy, consistency, and predictability, resulting in long-term symptom relief regardless of the size of your prostate.
Overview of the Aquablation Procedure
This treatment, performed in a hospital under anesthesia, typically takes less than an hour and may include an overnight stay.
Here’s what you can expect during the Aquablation procedure:
Step 1: Creating Your Surgical Map
Since every prostate is unique in size and shape, Aquablation therapy tailors the procedure to your specific anatomy. It stands out as the only BPH surgical technique that combines ultrasound imaging with a standard camera, known as a cystoscope. This combination allows your surgeon to view your entire prostate in real-time, enabling precise mapping of which parts to remove and which to avoid. This detailed mapping helps protect against complications like:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculatory dysfunction
- Incontinence
Step 2: Removing the Prostate Tissue
Once your surgical map is ready, a robotically controlled, heat-free water jet removes the targeted prostate tissue. This advanced robotic technology reduces the risk of human error and ensures that the tissue is removed precisely, consistently, and predictably.
Using a water jet instead of heat reduces the risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissues. A minimal amount of cautery to seal blood vessels may be used after the procedure to control any bleeding.
What Can I Expect After the Aquablation Procedure?
You will likely stay in the hospital overnight.
Depending on your recovery, you might go home with the catheter for a few days or spend an additional night if you have difficulty urinating or emptying your bladder. However, the advantage of this therapy is that most patients can leave the hospital without a catheter.
Once you’re home, you might experience mild burning during urination for a couple of weeks, which can be managed with mild pain medication.
What Are the Side Effects of Aquablation Therapy?
Many men delay prostate surgery due to concerns about side effects, especially those related to erectile dysfunction and incontinence.
However, clinical studies have shown that Aquablation therapy has a very low rate of complications, including:
- No effect on:
- erectile function
- orgasmic function
- sexual desire
- intercourse satisfaction
- overall sexual satisfaction
- Around 90% of men with BPH retain ejaculatory function after undergoing Aquablation therapy
- 99% of men with BPH remain free from incontinence post-Aquablation therapy
The Benefits of Aquablation Therapy
Aquablation stands out because it is the only one that allows surgeons to view the entire prostate in real time. This enables them to precisely target overgrown prostate tissue and avoid areas of the prostate that could lead to irreversible complications.
In addition, the precision of the robotic water jet technology ensures that the prostate tissue is removed accurately and consistently, resulting in a higher success rate for symptom relief.
Because of these factors, Aquablation therapy has a very low incidence of irreversible complications such as:
- Incontinence
- Ejaculatory dysfunction
- Erectile dysfunction
In addition, this type of therapy provides long-lasting relief from symptoms of BPH. Patients can expect significant improvements in their quality of life following the procedure.
Aquablation Physicians
We currently have four physicians providing Aquablation treatment. Call us at 843.347.2450 to schedule a consultation appointment.
Aquablation FAQs
Who is an ideal candidate for Aquablation therapy?
Aquablation therapy is suitable for men with BPH who have not found relief from medications or other treatments. It is particularly beneficial for those with larger prostates, as the procedure is effective regardless of prostate size. Your urologist will assess your condition and medical history to determine if Aquablation therapy is the best option.
Is Aquablation suitable for all prostate sizes?
Aquablation is particularly effective for larger prostates but can be used for a range of prostate sizes. Your doctor will determine if it’s appropriate for you based on imaging and a medical evaluation.
What are the long-term outcomes of Aquablation?
Studies have shown that patients experience significant and lasting relief from BPH symptoms. Follow-up care is important to monitor the procedure’s success.
