Sarasota Memorial Hospital is using an innovative heat-free waterjet – powered by robotics and artificial intelligence – to treat enlarged prostates and reduce the risks that make some men shy away from seeking help.
The Sarasota hospital is among the first offering the new Hydros Robotics System, the next-generation robotic- and AI-powered platform for Aquablation therapy.
It is the only ultrasound-guided, robotic-assisted waterjet therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Developed by PROCEPT BioRobotics, the system was cleared by the FDA in 2024. The multi-dimensional imaging and heat-free water jet help physicians precisely target and remove excess tissue from the enlarged prostate. It was designed to provide lasting relief of symptoms, which include urinary urgency, frequent urination and weak urine flow, with minimal, if any complications. Typically, patients go home in less than 24 hours.
“Aquablation therapy is unique and represents the next evolution in the treatment of BPH. It is a minimally invasive, low-risk procedure that combines the power of AI and the precision of robotic technology to help us target and ablate (remove) excess prostate tissue, while keeping critical structures safe,” Dr. Ramsay Kuo, a urologist with First Physicians Group, said in a prepared statement.
Kuo performed the first four cases at SMH in separate procedures earlier in June.
All four patients went home the same day and are doing well, with little to no discomfort reported.
A noncancerous condition normally associated with aging, BPH affects about half of all men by age 60 and 90% by age 80.
While medications can help early on, when they become ineffective or cause troubling side effects, surgery is often the next recommended treatment option.
Many men hesitate, however, due to fear of potential side effects from procedures that can negatively affect sexual function and continence.
Left untreated, BPH can lead to more serious conditions, including infections, urinary tract stones, and irreversible bladder or kidney damage.
To view a medical animation video about Aquablation therapy, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1rCLp-YA2A&t=10s
Learn more about urology services at SMH, ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10% of high-performing hospitals for urology and 24 other specialties and types of care, at https://www.smh.com/urology.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Memorial using innovative waterjet treatment to treat enlarged prostate issues
Reporting by Staff Report / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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