GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WGHN) – Trinity Health Grand Rapids is the first and only medical facility in West Michigan to offer Aquablation therapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or benign enlarged prostate. Aquablation therapy is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment for BPH that uses imaging, robotics, and a heat-free waterjet to safely remove prostate tissue.
This new, one-of-a-kind treatment is supported by clinical studies that show long-lasting relief and lower rates of irreversible complications, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, on prostates of all sizes. It also provides significant symptom relief for men with large prostates.
“As a urologist, the most common condition I see in men is PBH,” said Navneet Mander, MD, Trinity Health Grand Rapids. “Aquablation therapy is a new and exciting option for these patients and the next step to furthering our commitment to men’s health. This solution can provide significant, long-lasting symptom relief with lower risk to their sexual function or continence.
BPH, or an enlarged prostate, is a non-cancerous condition where the prostate has grown to be larger than normal. One in two men ages 51 to 60 have BPH, and the incidence increases every decade of life. As the prostate grows, it may constrict the urethra, making it difficult to urinate and/or apply pressure on the bladder, causing it to weaken and have difficulty emptying. If left untreated, BPH can cause significant health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence. Because of the potential for adverse effects with current BPH surgical treatments, men may choose to live with symptoms rather than pursue treatment. And while medications to treat BPH do exist, for some, these are not an option.
“Patients may experience negative side effects from BPH medications,” said Dr. Mander. “Others may take medications used to treat medical health conditions that may have negative interactions with BPH medications. Aquablation therapy provides a safe and effective alternative to allow these patients to minimize, and potentially discontinue, the need for these BPH medications.”
Aquablation therapy uses the AquaBeamâ Robotic System, the first FDA-cleared, surgical robot using automated tissue resection for the treatment of LUTS due to BPH. Aquablation therapy combines real-time, multi-dimensional imaging, automated robotics, and heat-free waterjet ablation for targeted, controlled, and immediate removal of prostate tissue. Combining both cystoscopic visualization and ultrasound imaging, surgeons can create a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s anatomy. Once the map is complete, the robotically controlled, waterjet ablates the prostate tissue, avoiding critical structures to preserve sexual function and continence. Numerous clinical studies have shown that Aquablation therapy offers predictable and reproducible outcomes, independent of prostate anatomy, prostate size, or surgeon experience. 2,3,4
“A general screening is necessary to ensure Aquablation therapy is the best fit for the patient. If you are interested, we encourage you to talk with your primary care doctor,” said Dr. Mander.
For more information about Aquablation therapy, visit their website.
Comments