Men living with an enlarged prostate have a new treatment option available at Blessing Hospital. Urologist Dr. Bradley Holland has successfully completed the first Aquablation® therapy that treats the condition and results in fewer side effects than previously available with some other treatment options. He and Dr. David Lieber are both excited to offer this exciting new procedure to qualified patients.
Clinically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), enlarged prostate is a non‑cancerous condition that affects roughly half of men ages 51 to 60, with incidence increasing as men age. Symptoms often include urinary frequency, urgency, a weak stream, and the inability to fully empty the bladder. If left untreated, BPH can lead to more serious health concerns such as bladder damage, kidney issues, bladder stones, and incontinence.
BPH can be treated in a number of ways, including surgically. Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a robotically controlled, heat‑free waterjet – known as the HYDROS™ Robotic System - to precisely remove excess prostate tissue causing urinary symptoms.
“The robotic system uses artificial intelligence to help with the detailed planning of the procedure. As surgeons, we still have to precisely control the instruments, but these new techniques facilitate the process, making everything more accurate,” informs Dr. Lieber. “We are also streamlining processes outside the operating room before surgery and in the recovery room, making it possible for people to go home the same day, making their recovery better.”
During the procedure, the doctor uses real-time imaging methods to map the prostate. This map guides the waterjet to remove only the obstructive prostate tissue while avoiding critical structures involved in continence and sexual function, making the treatment highly personalized.
Studies have shown that Aquablation therapy provides consistent, reproducible outcomes for prostates of varying sizes and shapes while preserving essential functions and reducing common side effects associated with traditional surgical approaches.
Learn more about Aquablation at www.blessinghealth.org/treatments/aquablation-therapy.