Aquablation for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Aquablation Surgical Treatment for BPH (enlarged prostate) at UCLA Health Urology

Aquablation is one of the newest surgeries offered at UCLA Health Urology to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using an advanced, minimally invasive approach.

What is Aquablation?

Aquablation is a surgical procedure that uses an image-guided high-pressure water jet to precisely destroy excess prostate tissue to relieve BPH symptoms.

Who is a candidate for Aquablation?

Patients experiencing symptoms from BPH, including urinary urgency and frequency, slower stream, waking up frequently at night to urinate, and the sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder, are candidates for Aquablation. This therapy can be performed on prostates of any size.

How does Aquablation work?

A surgical map of the prostate is created by our urologic surgeons, then a robotically-controlled, heat-free waterjet removes the prostate tissue that was outlined on the map. Aquablation combines ultrasound imaging with a thin camera (called a cystoscope), giving our surgeons the ability to see the entire prostate in real time. This allows the surgeon to accurately target the prostate tissue that needs to be removed.

Aquablation therapy is performed in a hospital and is done under anesthesia. The procedure typically takes less than an hour and involves an overnight hospital stay.

What are the benefits of Aquablation?

Aquablation’s robotic technology combined with its high-definition imaging and surgical mapping helps to ensure that the prostate tissue is removed with precision. This technology allows our urologic surgeons to only remove the excess prostate tissue needed to provide relief for BPH symptoms and avoid removing the parts of the prostate that can cause complications like retrograde ejaculation. Additionally, no incision is made since the prostate is reached through the urethra.

What are the side effects of Aquablation?

The most common side effects are mild and temporary, and may include mild pain or bleeding while urinating, discomfort in the pelvis, inability to empty the bladder, a frequent and/or urgent need to urinate, and bladder infection. Talk to your urologist about potential side effects associated with Aquablation therapy.

Appointments

For more information about Aquablation offered at UCLA Health or to schedule an appointment with one of our UCLA Health Urology providers listed below, please call (310) 794-7700.