Conveniently located to serve Greater Houston Heights, Memorial City, Galleria, Webster, and Clear Lake, Texas

Aquablation

Aquablation treatments at HTX Urology in Texas offer relief of urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This advanced procedure uses a robotic-controlled waterjet to remove excess prostate tissue with precision, offering long-lasting relief without the need for incisions. The absence of incisions significantly reduces the risk of irreversible complications. By combining cystoscopy with real-time ultrasound imaging, Aquablation creates a detailed surgical map of your prostate, ensuring targeted treatment while preserving areas crucial for erectile and ejaculatory function and continence.

What is Aquablation?

Aquablation is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is a different type of treatment for BPH that utilizes the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide an advanced, minimally invasive option for men that provides long lasting relief. *There are no incisions and therefore lower irreversible complication rates.* This is done by creating a surgical map of your unique prostate shape by combining our cystoscopy camera with real-time ultrasound imaging to view the prostate in its entirety. With this we can tailor the areas we want to treat and remove the areas that need to be avoided (such as the areas for erectile function, ejaculatory function and incontinence). After we have mapped the prostate, our robotically controlled, heat-free waterjet removes the prostate tissue.

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition among aging men, characterized by the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. This enlargement can lead to various urinary symptoms such as increased frequency and urgency of urination, a weak urine stream, and nocturia (the need to urinate frequently at night). BPH can significantly impact the quality of life, making effective treatment essential for relieving symptoms and improving daily functioning.

What to Expect?

When you come to the hospital, the surgery will be performed under spinal or more commonly, general anesthesia meaning you will be asleep for the procedure. Normally the procedure takes about an hour to perform and afterwards you can expect to stay at least one night in the hospital. You will have a catheter when you wake up with continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) that will help keep your bladder clear of blood clots that are inevitable with prostate surgery like this. Our goal is to be able to turn the irrigation to a slow drip or ideally completely off so that the following morning, depending how your urine looks, we are able remove the catheter. However, If you required a catheter before surgery then you will be going home with a catheter for at least another 1-2 weeks.

Why Aquablation

Traditional resection procedures utilize a single camera called the cystoscope that can limit visibility of the prostate making it difficult to see critical areas of the prostate. These critical areas control the erectile function, ejaculatory function and incontinence. Furthermore, traditional resection procedures utilize heat-based technology to remove prostate tissue, which can be transmitted and damage these same critical areas. Research has shown us that 77% of men say BPH impacts how they feel about themselves. 76% of men feel every surgical option required some sort of tradeoff between symptom relief and side effects.

However, with aquablation therapy, you don’t have to compromise because this therapy is an advanced, heat-free waterjet, minimally invasive robotic treatment for BPH that provides long lasting relief with low complication rates by mapping out your unique prostate. In fact, 94% of men wished that their doctors would have discussed aquablation with them.

Stats

  • 94% of men wished that their doctors would have discussed aquablation with them.
  • 94% of men would consider aquablation if their doctor had told them about it.
  • 92% of men would like to know more about aquablation therapy.

In men considering surgery in the next year:

  • 37% of men are confident that surgery will resolve their symptoms.
  • 17% of men are willing to sacrifice sexual function for symptom relief.

In men who have had surgery within the last 2 years
Before:

  • 76% of men feel every surgical option required some sort of tradeoff between symptom relief and side effects.
  • 76% were confident surgery would resolve their symptoms.

After:

  • Only 8% were dissatisfied with symptom relief, despite the fact that 80% are experiencing side effects.
  • 52% of men experienced issues with sexual function since having surgery.

 

Benefits of Aquablation

Aquablation offers several benefits compared to traditional BPH treatments:

  • Improved Urinary Flow: Aquablation provides significant relief from urinary symptoms by precisely removing the obstructive prostate tissue.
  • Symptom Relief: Patients experience long-lasting symptom relief without the trade-offs associated with conventional surgeries.
  • Preservation of Sexual Function: The heat-free technology ensures that critical areas responsible for erectile and ejaculatory function are preserved, minimizing the risk of sexual side effects.
  • Faster Recovery Times: As a minimally invasive procedure, Aquablation typically allows for quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays.

 

Who Is a Candidate for Aquablation?

Aquablation is suitable for men with moderate to severe BPH symptoms who have not found relief with conservative management or are seeking an alternative to traditional surgery. At HTX Urology, our experienced urologists evaluate each patient’s medical history, symptoms, prostate size, and overall health to determine if Aquablation is the right treatment option. This thorough assessment ensures that each patient receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs.

Aquablation Procedure

Your aquablation procedure will be performed at the hospital while you are under spinal or general anesthesia, ensuring you are asleep and comfortable throughout. The surgery typically takes about an hour. Following the procedure, you will stay overnight in the hospital. A catheter will be placed to facilitate continuous bladder irrigation (CBI), which helps keep your bladder clear of blood clots, a common occurrence after prostate surgery. The goal is to reduce or stop the irrigation by the next morning, allowing for catheter removal based on the clarity of your urine. If you require a catheter before the surgery, you might need to keep it for up to two weeks following your procedure.

Why Choose Aquablation?

Traditional prostate resection procedures often rely on a single camera, limiting visibility and increasing the risk of damage to critical areas that control erectile and ejaculatory function and continence. These procedures also use heat-based technologies, which can further harm these sensitive areas. Studies indicate that 77% of men feel that BPH negatively impacts their self-esteem, and 76% believe that all surgical options involve a trade-off between symptom relief and side effects.

Aquablation, however, offers a no-compromise solution. This heat-free, robotic waterjet therapy ensures precise tissue removal while preserving vital functions. It provides a minimally invasive, long-term relief option with low complication rates. Remarkably, 94% of men reported wishing their doctors had discussed Aquablation with them, highlighting the procedure’s benefits and patient satisfaction.

Key Statistics on Aquablation

  • Patient Satisfaction: 94% of men wished their doctors had informed them about Aquablation.
  • Consideration for Aquablation: 94% would consider the procedure if recommended by their doctor.
  • Interest in Information: 92% of men expressed a desire to learn more about Aquablation therapy.

 

For Men Considering Surgery in the Next Year

  • Confidence in Symptom Resolution: 37% are confident surgery will alleviate their symptoms.
  • Sexual Function Concerns: 17% are willing to sacrifice sexual function for symptom relief.

 

For Men Who Have Undergone Surgery in the Last Two Years:

Before Surgery:

  • Seventy-six percent felt that every surgical option involved a trade-off between symptom relief and side effects.
  • Seventy-six percent were confident that surgery would resolve their symptoms.

 

After Surgery:

  • Only 8% were dissatisfied with symptom relief, despite 80% experiencing side effects.
  • Fifty-two percent encountered issues with sexual function post-surgery.

 

Schedule Your Consultation at HTX Urology

If you are experiencing BPH symptoms and are interested in learning more about aquablation, please request an appointment. Our team of men’s urinary health specialists provides personalized care and advanced treatment options to help you improve your quality of life. Contact HTX Urology to schedule a consultation for an aquablation procedure, we have offices conveniently located to serve Greater Houston Heights, Memorial City, Galleria, Webster and Clear Lake, Texas.