HJAR Mar/Apr 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  MAR / APR 2021 45 WHILEmedications are usually the first step in treating BPH and can provide relief for some men, they often have side effects that outweigh symptom relief. On the flip side, some surgical procedures are invasive and can lead to irreversible complications and a prolonged recovery time. Arkansas Urology is excited to announce a new, minimally invasive, heat-free BPH surgical treatment option that is designed for patients and urologists who want a better option for treating lower urinary tract symp- toms due to BPH – Aquablation therapy. Aquablation therapy uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide long-lasting symptom relief with low rates of irreversible complications, re- gardless of prostate size or shape. It signifi- cantly reduces the chances of sexual dys- function and incontinence. The AquaBeam Robotic System Aquablation therapy is delivered by the AquaBeam Robotic System – the world’s first FDA-cleared, commercially available autonomous tissue removal robot. Aquabla- tion therapy delivers a heat-free waterjet to remove enlarged prostate tissue with a lower risk of side effects than the current go-to treatment for BPH, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Its intuitive design and robotic execution allow for a shorter learning curve, shorter resection times and more consistent results. Unlike traditional surgical BPHmethods, prostate resection withAquablation therapy combines an integrated cystoscope with in- traoperative ultrasound, providing the sur- geon with more information for improved decision making and treatment planning. There are two steps to the procedure: cre- ating a surgical map and then removing the prostate tissue. The Surgical Map Every prostate has a unique size and shape, so surgery must be customized to the patient’s specific anatomy. After being placed under spinal or general anesthesia, the urologist will use multidimensional im- aging to develop a precise treatment plan for the robotic system to execute. The surgeon is able to view the prostate on theAquaBeam Robot monitor, which allows them to map out an exact treatment contour to personal- ize the optimal tissue removal plan for each individual patient. The surgeon will work to map around the parts of the prostate that cause irreversible complications like erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction and incontinence. Prostate Tissue Removal Once a treatment plan is in place, the robotic system will then remove the extra prostate tissue with a heat-free, high-ve- locity waterjet while the surgeon monitors. Using the surgeon-defined treatment con- tour, the AquaBeam Robotic System soft- ware calculates the various flow rates based on the length, depth and width of resection required. The procedure typically takes less than an hour to complete, and an overnight stay is normal. Aquablation Recovery As with most BPH procedures, patients will wake up with a catheter followingAqua- blation therapy, which allows them to uri- nate while their urethra heals. Patients typi- cally stay overnight in the hospital. Once home, patients may experience mild burning during urination for a couple of weeks, which can be managed with mild pain medication. Patients can resume their normal activities once approved by their doctor. Tim Langford, MD Arkansas Urology By the Numbers* • 83% of men with BPH are not willing to sacrifice sexual function for symptom relief with surgery. • 85% of men with BPH are concerned that surgery will cause incontinence. • 76% of men with BPH feel that surgery requires a trade-off between symptom relief and side effects. • 96% of men with BPH wished their doctors would have discussed Aqua- blation with them. Today’s surgical treatments for enlarged prostate often limit patients to choose be- tween either a high degree of symptom relief with high rates of irreversible com- plications or low degree of symptom relief with low rates of irreversible complications. Aquablation therapy is different, offering a predictable treatment with proven positive outcomes. The good news is that any man who has been diagnosed with BPH is a potential candidate for this therapy. Many men are not able to be helped or have the condition managed with medication, and many avoid surgery because of the potential risks. Now, they have another option. Aquablation therapy significantly reduces the risk of sexual side effects and has a su- perior safety profile when compared to the TURPprocedure. The procedure has proven results and could be a life-changing therapy for men with BPH. n *Data on file at PROCEPT BioRobotics. Tim Langford, MD, has been with Arkansas Urology since 1993. Prior to joining Arkansas Urology, he served as chief urology resident at University of Arkansas for Medical Scienc- es. Langford received a medical degree from UAMS and graduated magna cum laude from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with a bachelor’s degree in zoology. Langford is certified by the American Board of Urology. He is a member of the American Medical As- sociation, American Urological Association, Arkansas Medical Society and Pulaski County Medical Society.