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Aquablation FAQ

Aquablation Therapy

Aquablation therapy is a revolutionary robotic surgery for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Aquablation therapy is performed by the AQUABEAM® Robotic System, which was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2017. In Korea, its safety and effectiveness has been proved through the New Health Technology Assessment conducted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2022. Currently, it is being used in numerous university hospitals and urology specialist clinics.

(1) Unlike conventional surgical methods, Aquablation therapy combines cystoscopy and ultrasound images simultaneously, providing a safer and real-time multidimensional view of the entire prostate.
(2) By observing the entire prostate in real-time, we can accurately identify important anatomical structures for maintaining sexual function and controlling urinary incontinence. This allows for the design of a safe surgical guide. The design can be tailored to the individual shape and size of the patient's prostate, resulting in a very high success rate for surgery.
(3) Based on the created surgical map, a precise robot-controlled, high-pressure, heat-free water jet removes enlarged prostate tissue. This method significantly reduces the risk of complications and side effects

Aquablation therapy has been proven as a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH. Aquablation therapy can be performed on prostates of any size and shape.

Regardless of the size of the prostate, the resection time takes around 10 minutes and quick hemostasis is possible after resection. So the total surgery duration is approximately 1 hour. Aquablation procedure can be performed under spinal anesthesia.

The aquablation therapy has been proven to be a very safe and effective surgical method through the results of nine clinical trials. It shows significant symptom improvement in prostates of all sizes and shapes, with a very low risk of irreversible complications.

Improvements on bladder storage and voiding dysfunction, such as frequent urination, nocturia, urgency, and the need to strain during urination, are observed within a week after surgery. These symptoms disappear or show significant relief within 30 days. The urine flow improvement is twice as pronounced, and the urinary incontinence is nearly 0%. Erectile function is maintained in 100% of patients, and 90% preserve ejaculatory function.

After the Aquablation surgery, like most procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia, patients typically wake up with a catheter in the urethra. They usually stay overnight in the hospital, and the majority have the catheter removed the next day before being discharged, which is a significant advantage.

The most common side effects are mild and temporary. These may include mild pain, slight bleeding during urination and pelvic discomfort. Temporary symptoms of a frequent and/or urgent need to urinate may also occur. However, the occurrence rate of these side effects is low, and even if they occur, they typically resolve within 2-3 weeks.

Currently, several university hospitals and urology specialist clinics in Korea are dedicated to the long-term treatment of BPH and have been performing Aquablation therapy based on their accumulated experience and expertise. Hospitals that handle the AquaBeam Robotic System equipment can be found on the link below. Aquablation Provider

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia presents various symptoms that can impact the quality of life. Particularly, there are symptoms such as frequent and/or urgent urination, the feeling of residual urine, and nocturia affecting sound sleep. Additionally, there may be other discomforting symptoms including incontinence, urinary retention, hesitancy, hematuria, etc.

Neglecting these symptoms over time can result in deteriorating bladder and kidney function. Furthermore, the prolonged use of medications for symptom management increases the risk of heart failure and dementia. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the timely and best personalized treatment menthod for the individual patient. best treatment method tailored to the individual patient.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in middle-aged and older men, and its occurrence tends to increase with age. As of 2021, approximately 1.35 million people were diagnosed with BPH, showing a 10-year increase of around 530,000 cases compared to 820,000 cases in 2011. The condition is estimated to grow by about 5.1% annually. While the exact cause of the condition has not been pinpointed, factors like aging, hormonal changes, and genetics are considered potential contributors.

Like other illnesses, early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial. It is also important to maintain regular exercise and a healthy weight and adopt a balanced diet emphasizing reduced meat consumption and increased consumption of vegetables and fruits. Please remember that you should try to avoid frequent alcohol consumption and excessive intake of caffeine beverages, as these can stimulate the bladder.