Aquablation Therapy for BPH
Aquablation therapy is an incision-free treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
It’s the only treatment available that combines a cystoscope (camera) with ultrasound imaging to surgically map the prostate. Surgical mapping allows the surgeon to see the entire prostate to determine where to remove tissue and avoid the areas responsible for erectile function, ejaculatory function, and incontinence.
Aquablation has been proven safe and effective in nine clinical trials and is approved by the FDA.
How Aquablation Works
Aquablation uses a high-powered stream of precisely delivered water to remove tissue that puts pressure on your prostate.
It has been clinically proven to relieve urinary tract symptoms caused by BPH without compromising sexual function, including:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- A weak urine stream
- Trouble starting the flow of urine
- Starting and stopping while urinating
- Not emptying your bladder completely
- Sudden urges to urinate
- Leaking or dribbling after you urinate
- Straining to urinate
The Aquablation Procedure
The procedure is performed under anesthesia in a hospital. It’s a two-part process that takes about an hour.
- Creating a Surgical Map
First, your surgeon will use ultrasound and a small camera (cystoscope) in your urethra to visualize and “map” which areas of your prostate to remove and which to avoid.
Careful mapping preserves areas that could otherwise cause complications if removed. - Removing prostate tissue
Using your prostate map as a guide, the surgeon guides the robotic, heat-free waterjet to remove the tissue that’s been identified for removal. The process is careful, precise, and achieves consistent, predictable results.
Some surgeons may cauterize bleeding if necessary.
Finally, a catheter will be placed to allow you to urinate while your urethra heals.
Recovery
After your procedure, you’ll recover overnight in the hospital. Before discharge, your catheter will be removed, your ability to urinate will be checked. Some patients may be sent home with a catheter in place if urination is too difficult at first.
For the next few weeks, you may notice some mild burning while urinating. This is normal.
Advantages of Aquablation
- Effective on prostates of any shape and size
- No incision – the prostate is accessed through the urethra
- No heat (which is associated with side effects)
- Robotic precision
- Long-lasting
- Low rate of irreversible complications
- Maintains erectile function, ejaculatory function, and overall sexual function
- Low incidence of incontinence
- It gives you back control of your lifestyle
Aquablation - Next Steps
Visit with your Urologist
To find out if Aquablation is right for you, schedule an appointment with a urologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover Aquablation?
Medicare and several private insurance companies have coverage for Aquablation. Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to verify or ask our office for assistance. Medicare does not require prior authorization, but private insurance companies may.
Are there side effects?
Side effects are generally mild and short-term. You might experience burning while urinating for a couple of weeks.
Is there evidence that Aquablation is safe?
Yes. Aquablation has been studied in nine clinical trials, which have shown it to be safe. The robotic technology used in Aquablation is FDA-approved.