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What is Aquablation Therapy?

September 12, 2022

An image of a Prostate gland

For men struggling with symptoms of an enlarged prostate, the idea of going under the knife to find relief can offer its own concerns. Long recoveries and sexual side effects are just two of the possible side effects of traditional prostate surgery. But a new choice may help wash some of those concerns away.

Aquablation® therapy robotic-assisted procedures is an innovative treatment now available at Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center, offered by urologist David C. Chaikin, MD. This procedure offers patients with enlarged prostates a safe, minimally invasive treatment plan that allows for a shorter recovery time.

What is Aquablation therapy?

Aquablation therapy is a new procedure that reduces the size of the prostate for men who suffer from the symptoms of enlarged prostates. Those symptoms can include uncomfortable urinary problems such as frequent urination and incomplete emptying of the bladder. Aquablation therapy uses highly specialized robotic equipment and computer guidance to deliver a pressurized and targeted stream of water that removes only the excess prostate tissue.

What are the advantages of Aquablation therapy over traditional treatment methods?

Aquablation therapy is a new avenue for patients for whom medication is not effective, that presents an alternative to invasive surgery. After Aquablation therapy, some patients are able to be discharged within a day of their procedure, compared with a multiple day hospital stay and weeks long recovery following traditional surgery. Additionally, surgery patients often need a catheter for as long as a week post-procedure, with Aquablation therapy that catheter could be removed after just a single day. Aquablation therapy is especially good for larger prostates that often require open surgery.

Who is an ideal candidate for Aquablation therapy?

Aquablation therapy can offer relief for patients with prostates of any size and shape but is particularly useful for patients who have not responded to traditional medications or do not want to take them.

How much time will it take to undergo Aquablation therapy?

Patients undergoing Aquablation therapy receive the treatment under general anesthesia and are usually admitted to the hospital, so they should anticipate spending at least one night in the hospital. However, as mentioned above, Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive procedure, which means not only is the time needed to perform the procedure far shorter than traditional surgery, but recovery time is also less, meaning patients are able to go home faster and get back to their lives more comfortably.