Surgical Robotics Technology
Half of all men over the age of 50 struggle with a decreased quality of life due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. At Central Ohio Urology Group , an affiliate of U.S. Urology Partners, an innovative, minimally invasive procedure called Aquablation is changing that for patients. Dr. Scott D. Barkin of Central Ohio Urology Group is one of the most experienced Aquablation experts in Ohio and surrounding states, and has performed the procedure for more than 100 patients.
BPH is a non-cancerous condition where the prostate has grown to be larger than normal. One in two men between the ages of 51 and 60 have BPH, and the incidence increases each decade of life such that by age 80, 90% of men will have BPH. If left untreated, BPH can cause significant health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, UTIs and incontinence, as well as inability or difficulty urinating, or urinating often.
Aquablation therapy combines real-time, multi-dimensional imaging, automated robotic technology and heat-free waterjet ablation for targeted, controlled and immediate removal of prostate tissue. Because there isn’t heat involved with the treatment, Aquablation has less effect on the structures around the prostate, helping to preserve sexual function in most patients.
“Improved quality of life is the key benefit for our BPH patients,” says Dr. Scott D. Barkin of Central Ohio Urology Group, an affiliate of U.S. Urology Partners. “Typically, our patients are seeking better urination by removing an existing indwelling catheter, eliminating their prostate medication or achieving a better night’s sleep with fewer trips to the restroom. When compared with similar treatments for BPH, Aquablation tries to spare the men’s ejaculatory function, removes more prostate tissue in a shorter time and therefore requires less anesthesia, and is only one of a few treatments designed for large prostates.”
Aquablation therapy, like similar therapies for large prostates, is performed in a hospital and is done under anesthesia. The procedure typically takes around 60 to 90 minutes (less for smaller prostates; more for larger prostates) and may involve an overnight stay depending on the size of the prostate. No incision is necessary, as the prostate is reached through the urethra.
Other BPH surgical treatments often force men to compromise between symptom relief and side effects. Patients choosing a high degree of symptom relief face possible complications such as incontinence, erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory dysfunction.
Central Ohio Urology Group physicians performing Aquablation therapy include Dr. Scott D. Barkin, Dr. William E. Bloch and Dr. Adam C. Weiser.
Source: U.S. Urology Partners
