Making Waves: An Update on Aquablation

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Robotic Surgery
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects a large number of men, leading to lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Traditional BPH treatments carry risks of sexual dysfunction and may require retreatment.
• There is a need for effective and minimally invasive BPH therapies that preserve sexual function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of aquablation therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• To highlight the technology, benefits, and outcomes associated with aquablation.
• To discuss the durability and efficacy of aquablation in managing BPH.

Main Methods:

• Aquablation is an image-guided, automated, robotically controlled waterjet ablative therapy.
• It utilizes a high-velocity, heat-free saline jet to precisely remove prostate tissue.
• Real-time ultrasound guidance enables customized treatment based on individual prostate anatomy.

Main Results:

• Aquablation achieves effective prostate tissue ablation with minimal damage to surrounding structures.
• The procedure preserves sexual function, including ejaculatory integrity.
• Outcomes are reproducible across various prostate sizes and shapes, with sustained symptom relief and improved urinary function.

Conclusions:

• Aquablation is a novel, heat-free therapy for BPH offering significant advantages over traditional methods.
• The technology provides customizable and reproducible treatment with a favorable safety profile.
• Long-term studies demonstrate the durability of aquablation, with sustained efficacy and reduced retreatment rates.