Prostatic hydroablation with the Aquabeam robotic system is a minimally invasive procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia in which the prostatic tissue is removed with a high-pressure waterjet. It is planned with ultrasound and performed through the urethra, without skin incisions. Its main advantage is that it can preserve the area through which the patient ejaculates.
How it works
Step 1 of 5The procedure is performed under general or regi
Simplified illustration, not to scale. Each operation is adapted to the patient.
- The procedure is performed under general or regional anaesthesia.
- Ultrasound guidance allows precise planning of the surgery, so that only the tissue causing the obstruction is removed.
- Once the procedure has been planned, the robotic arm applies a high-pressure waterjet that removes the tissue without using heat and respects the surrounding anatomical structures, including the area through which the patient ejaculates.
- The surgeon then reviews the treated area with a high-definition camera and a coagulating instrument to close any vessel that could cause excessive bleeding.
- The process ends with a bladder catheter and irrigation, which the patient keeps for 24 to 48 hours before it is removed and he is discharged home.
Experience and results
Dr. Pérez-Carral's team used the Aquabeam system at Hospital Universitario La Paz, where several hundred patients were operated on. They published their results at the European Association of Urology congress in Milan, the American Urological Association in Chicago and the Spanish Urological Association in Granada. Thanks to this experience, the system can now be offered privately.
Their studies show an efficacy comparable to holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). With HoLEP, almost no patient keeps ejaculation during orgasm. With Aquabeam, because the ejaculatory ducts and the apical prostatic tissue are not damaged, ejaculation is preserved in most patients.
Risks
As with any medical procedure, there are risks, including infections, bleeding and temporary problems when urinating.
Frequently asked questions
Does Aquabeam preserve ejaculation?
In most patients, yes, because the ejaculatory ducts and the apical prostatic tissue are not damaged.
How long is the hospital stay?
Most patients are discharged 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
Is it covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your policy and your insurance company, so you must confirm it directly with them. The practice cannot tell you what your policy covers.
A medical visit, in person or online, is essential before any treatment is decided, surgical or not: the same diagnosis can have several treatment options.