An advanced, minimally invasive treatment for BPH that uses imaging, robotics, and a heat-free waterjet to provide long-lasting relief with low rates of complications.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, is a prostate that has grown to be larger than normal. BPH is not prostate cancer. 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. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common condition that usually affects older men. Symptoms include hesitancy during urination, interrupted or decreased urine stream (volume and flow rate), nocturia, incomplete voiding and urinary retention.
Prostates have a few lobes, each of which can grow and cause blockage. It may be important to find out if you have an obstructive median lobe.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance on Aquablation Treatment:
Aquablation robotic therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Medtech innovation briefing [MIB315] Published: 31 January 2023.
These briefing states that:
NICE have previously issued guidance on:
Transurethral water jet ablation for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Interventional procedures guidance IPG629] Published: 19 September 2018.
Mild symptoms are usually managed conservatively using medication. If BPH symptoms are left untreated, bladder and kidney function may be impacted over time. Additionally, using medications over a prolonged period to manage BPH symptoms, may result in some side effects.
If conservative treatment is not working, or the symptoms get worse, your consultant will discuss, the surgical options available to you and the associated risks/ benefits. One of those options being: Water ablation
The procedure should only be performed by Consultants who have been trained in this procedure using the technology. A number of Ramsay Hospitals and Urology Consultants now offer the Aquablation procedure for BPH USING: ‘PROCEPT BioRobotics’ technology.
Water ablation
Computer controlled high pressure water is used to destroy some of the prostate tissue, making it smaller.
Water ablation is probably less likely to cause side effects than other a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) techniques.
The possible advantages of the Aquablation procedure, ‘include a reduction in resection time compared with other surgical methods, and the potential to preserve sexual function. The procedure is heat-free, which removes the risk of complications arising from thermal injury. (NICE IPG629)’.
Step 1: Creating a surgical map
Your surgeon will identify important anatomy that maintains sexual function and continence to create a personalised treatment plan, shown by the blue dotted line. The tissue inside the dotted line will be removed while the tissue outside will be left in place.
Step 2:
Once the plan is created, a robotically-controlled, heat-free waterjet removes the prostate tissue. This robotic technology ensures the prostate tissue is removed precisely, consistently, and predictably.
This depiction in Step 2, is for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate clinical performance. Patient responses can and do vary.
Aquablation Therapy is a robotic surgical procedure. The surgical team will prepare you for the treatment prior to entering the operating room. The treatment itself will take less than an hour, typically 40 minutes. You will be required to stay in hospital for a few hours under observation and generally will require an overnight stay. You catheter will be assessed and typically removed 24 to 48hrs after the procedure.
Clinical studies have shown that Aquablation therapy offers significant symptom relief and low rates of irreversible complications, across prostates of all sizes and shapes.
It offers the following benefits;
If you would like to read more about the technology and patients who have had this surgery using this technology, please visit: aquablation.com
You will receive a formal quotation price following your consultation with one of our expert surgeons. This formal quote for your aquablation therapy will be valid for 60 days and includes unlimited aftercare.
Ramsay offer an all-inclusive Total Care package, where a single one-off payment at a pre-agreed price, delivering direct access to all the treatment you need for complete reassurance. You can also spread the cost of your treatment with finance options available.
The procedure may be covered by your medical insurance policy. We advise you to check directly with your insurance provider and get written confirmation before commencing treatment.
If you need any further information, our friendly enquiry team are on hand to help. Contact us if you would like to speak to someone for further advice or to book a consultation.
NICE Medtech innovation briefing [MIB315] Published: 31 January 2023 https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/mib315/chapter/The-technology
NICE IPG629 Published: 19 Sept 2018 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg629/chapter/2-The-condition-current-treatments-and-procedure#current-treatments
PROCEPT BioRobotics, Patient Information, visit: www.aquablation.com
NHS Website; Treatment of Benign Prostate Enlargement: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-enlargement/treatment/
Professor Nikhil Vasdev is Professor and Chair of Robotic Surgery at the School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK. Professor Vasdev is a Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon at the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre, Lister Hospital, UK.
Professor Vasdev’s specialist interest is Urologic Oncology (Clinical and Academic). He specialises in both Robotic Prostate and Bladder cancer surgery.
In August 2023, Professor Vasdev commenced the Robotic Aquablation programme at Pinehill Hospital for patients with Benign Prostate Enlargement. Aquablation therapy is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment that uses imaging, robotics, and a heat-free waterjet to provide long-lasting relief from BPH with low rates of complications.
Professor Vasdev is the UK’s first nationally accredited Robotic Fellow by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the British Association of Urological Surgeons.
View Professor Vasdev's profile here
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Choosing a treatment option for an enlarged prostate can be overwhelming, Pinehill Hospital, part of Ramsay Health Care UK, based in Hitchin, is here to help men make that decision. Pinehill are offering Aquablation Therapy, a new pioneering robotic prostate treatment, for men suffering from BPH.
Patients are travelling nationwide to visit Pinehill Hospital for Aquablation Therapy, which they have been offering now for over a year. This is a new minimally invasive robotic treatment for patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The private general practice at Pinehill Hospital excels due to its cutting-edge facilities, expert and compassionate healthcare professionals, comprehensive and personalised care approach, and unwavering commitment to patient convenience and comfort.