Aquablation Therapy
No more worries about the side effects of treatment.
For most men, the reality of aging means developing an enlarged prostate. In fact, an enlarged prostate — medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — affects about half of all men between ages 51 and 60. Up to 90% of men over age 80 have BPH.
When the prostate is enlarged, it can bother or block the bladder. This can cause some men to run to the bathroom several times a night or feel they need to always be close to a restroom, affecting their quality of life. If left untreated, BPH can cause health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence.
Research shows that a fear of permanent side effects is the number one reason men avoid treatment for BPH. Concerns about persisting incontinence, erectile dysfunction (ED) and/or ejaculatory dysfunction are primary reasons men may avoid BPH treatment.
Aquablation® therapy is one of the newest treatments for BPH that delivers long-lasting relief from BPH symptoms without the permanent side effects. Our Foothills Hospital is among the first facilities in the region to add this minimally invasive procedure to its array of proven treatment options for BPH.
- Low risk of irreversible side effects
- Proven results
- How it works
- What you can expect
- Benefits of Aquablation
Extremely low risk of irreversible side effects
Aquablation therapy is a safe and an effective alternative to traditional surgery for BPH, primarily the gold-standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
The most compelling reason to undergo Aquablation is the extremely low risk of irreversible side effects. Research has shown, compared with BPH traditional surgeries, such as TURP, the long-term side effects are virtually nonexistent — nearly 100% of men retain ejaculatory, erectile and urinary functions, making it an obvious choice for patients with concerns about lasting side effects.
You no longer need to choose between relief from BPH symptoms and your sexual function.
Proven results
Clinical studies have shown that Aquablation therapy offers significant symptom relief and low rates of irreversible complications across prostates of all sizes and shapes.
How it works
Unlike TURP, which uses a heat-producing laser that can harm surrounding nerves, Aquablation removes excess tissue with room-temperature water, preserving the nerves that control erectile and ejaculatory functions.
Also, unlike TURP, which is limited to small- and medium-size glands, surgeons can perform Aquablation on any size prostate.
The process starts by creating detailed images from an ultrasound to create a personalized map, with the exact size and shape of the prostate. Using this personalized map, along with real-time ultrasound imaging, your surgeon programs the AquaBeam Robotic System to guide a heat-free waterjet and precisely target prostate tissue for removal.
What you can expect
Most patients are discharged from the hospital the next day and go home without a catheter.
For a few days after the procedure, you may experience urinary urgency, blood in your urine, slight burning during urination and some pelvic discomfort, which can be managed with mild pain medication.
Benefits of Aquablation
- Very low rate of sexual side effects: Provides clinically proven, long-lasting symptom relief with a low risk of irreversible complications (incontinence, ejaculatory dysfunction, erectile dysfunction).
- Ideal for any size or shape prostate: Works on any size prostate, sparing men with large glands from having to undergo a more complex surgical procedure.
- Minimally invasive: Requires no incisions and has a lower risk of complications compared to open surgeries.
- Precision: Allows for precise targeting of the prostate tissue, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures.
- Quick recovery time: Enables you to return to normal activities quickly, typically within a few days.
