Aquablation therapy
Our Aquablation therapy service is provided at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead.
Aquablation therapy is a new minimally invasive treatment using robotic technology and a heat-free water jet to remove enlarged prostate tissue without needing a complex surgery.
Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive procedure for treating benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). It uses real time ultrasound images and a robotically guided, high-pressure, heat free water jet to remove excess prostate tissue. This heat-free surgical technique aims to relieve urinary symptoms by precisely removing prostate tissue while protecting delicate areas thereby reducing the common side effects normally associated with surgery for benign prostate enlargement. The benefits include preservation of continence, sexual and ejaculatory function. It also facilitates a shorter recovery time compared to traditional methods.
Aquablation therapy can be used to treat prostates of varying shape or size (small to large) prostate.
Mr Leye Ajayi, Consultant Urological Surgeon, established the Aquablation therapy programme at the Royal Free Hospital. He has vast experience in performing the procedure. He has surgeons from UK and Europe attend his theatre sessions to gain insight into the technology.
Contact us Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm:
Booking line: +44 (0) 20 4527 2993
How it works
- Planning: The surgeon uses an ultrasound-guided robotic system to create a personalized surgical map based on the patient’s unique Prostate anatomy.
- Procedure: A heat-free water jet precisely removes the excess prostate tissue according to the pre-defined surgical plan.
- Benefit: By using a water jet instead of heat, it helps to preserve surrounding nerves and structures that are sensitive to heat, which can lead to fewer sexual side effects.
Advantages
- Preserves sexual function: Studies show it preserves ejaculation in a high percentage of men and has a very low risk of erectile dysfunction.
- Reduced complications: It has a lower risk of side effects compared to traditional treatments.
- Minimally invasive: The procedure is an endoscopic procedure and does not require any incisions.
- Shorter recovery time: Many patients can go home with 48hrs and resume daily activities soon after.
Potential downsides
- Initial bleeding risk: Since the introduction of Focal bladder neck cautery, the risk of bleeding and been reduced significantly.
- Possible need for re-treatment: It may not remove the entire transition zone of the prostate, which potentially, could lead to a higher rate of re-treatment in the long term compared to some other enucleation techniques.
Read patient success story
New prostate treatment makes a splash
Meet our consultants
We work with leading experts who are all supported by the expertise of a multidisciplinary team. Our specialist team of doctors and surgeons includes:
Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead
The Private Patients Unit at the Royal Free Hospital is part of the NHS and is wholly owned by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
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