Washington Hospital Healthcare System Introduces Aquablation Therapy, a New, Minimally Invasive, Robotic Treatment for Patients with an Enlarged Prostate

FREMONT, California – Washington Hospital Healthcare System conducted the first Aquablation therapy cases for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

BPH, or an enlarged prostate, is a noncancerous condition where the prostate has grown to be larger than normal. One in two men ages 51 to 60 have BPH, and the incidence increases every decade of life.¹ If left untreated, BPH can cause significant health problems including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence. Current BPH surgical treatments offer a trade-off of symptom relief and side effects. This limits patient choice to a high degree of symptom relief with high rates of irreversible complications (such as incontinence, erectile dysfunction, or ejaculatory dysfunction) or low degree of symptom relief with low rates of irreversible complications.

Aquablation therapy is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment that uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide best-in-class and long-lasting symptom relief with low rates of irreversible complications, regardless of prostate size or shape.^2,3 Clinical outcomes have shown improved symptom relief and reduced recovery times.

“Washington Hospital is advancing care for our community by introducing Aquablation therapy for men with BPH, ensuring relief without compromises," states urologist, Dr. Mark Saleh, of Washington Township Medical Foundation. "These first cases mark a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to men's health.”

Aquablation therapy is performed by the AquaBeam Robotic System, the first FDA-cleared, surgical robot utilizing automated tissue resection for the treatment of LUTS due to BPH. It combines real-time, multidimensional imaging, automated robotic technology, and heat-free waterjet ablation technology for targeted, controlled and immediate removal of prostate tissue. Aquablation therapy offers predictable and reproducible outcomes, independent of prostate anatomy, prostate size, or surgeon experience.

Aquablation therapy has proven results. In clinical studies, Aquablation therapy has shown to provide both best-in-class and durable symptom relief with low rates of irreversible complications.^2-4 A study within the Journal of Sexual Medicine, which surveyed 300 men living with BPH, revealed 92% of respondents expressed an interest in learning more about Aquablation therapy.⁵ This data demonstrates the need within the patient population to find relief without the trade-off between symptoms and relief side effects.

"This innovative approach to BPH treatment ensures access to the latest advancements in urological care close to home, reaffirming our commitment to health and well-being,” says Kimberly Hartz, CEO of Washington Hospital Healthcare System.

For more information on Washington Hospital Healthcare System, please visit whhs.com.

For more information on Aquablation therapy, visit aquablation.com.

About Washington Township Health Care District

Washington Township Health Care District is governed by a publically elected board and includes Washington Hospital Healthcare System. Unlike a municipal or county hospital, Washington Hospital’s operating expenses, research, community programs, and employee salaries are funded by revenues generated through providing patient and other health care services. Opened in 1958, Washington Hospital Healthcare System has grown to include a 415-bed, acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute; UCSF-Washington Cancer Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; Washington Township Medical Foundation; and Washington West, a complex which houses UCSF-Washington Cancer Center, Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, Sandy Amos RN Infusion Center and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities. Discover more at whhs.com, and through Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.

About PROCEPT BioRobotics Corporation

PROCEPT BioRobotics is a surgical robotics company enabling better patient care by developing transformative solutions in urology. With an initial focus on BPH, the AquaBeam Robotic System delivering Aquablation therapy is the first FDA-cleared, surgical robot utilizing automated tissue resection for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. Aquablation therapy combines real-time, multidimensional imaging, automated robotic technology, and heat-free waterjet ablation technology for targeted, controlled and immediate removal of prostate tissue. Aquablation therapy offers predictable and reproducible outcomes, independent of prostate anatomy, prostate size, or surgeon experience. For more information visit https://www.procept-biorobotics.com/.

Important Safety Information

All surgical treatments have inherent and associated side effects. The most common side effects are mild and transient, and may include mild pain or difficulty when urinating, discomfort in the pelvis, blood in the urine, inability to empty the bladder or a frequent and/or urgent need to urinate, and bladder or urinary tract infection. Other risks include ejaculatory dysfunction and a low risk of injury to the urethra or rectum where the devices gain access to the body for treatment. For more information about potential side effects and risks associated with Aquablation therapy, speak with your urologist or surgeon. No claim is made that the AquaBeam Robotic System will cure any medical condition, or entirely eliminate the diseased entity. Repeated treatment or alternative therapies may sometimes be required.

References:

1. Roehrborn, CG, Rosen, RC. Medical therapy options for aging men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: focus on alfuzosin 10 mg once daily. Clinical Interventions in Aging 2008:3(3).
2. Gilling, P, et al. Three-Year Outcomes after Aquablation Therapy Compared to TURP: Results from a Blinded Randomized Trial. Can J Urol. 2020 Feb;27(1):10072-10079.
3. Desai, M, et al. Aquablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia in large prostates (80-150 cc): 2-year results. Can J Urol. 2020 Apr;27(2):10147-10153.
4. Bach, T, et al. First Multi-Center All-Comers Study for the Aquablation Procedure. J Clin Med. 2020 Feb; 9(2): 603.
5. Data from a global survey of 300 patients with BPH. Data on file at PROCEPT BioRobotics.