BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport Hospital has begun offering Aquablation® therapy, a robotic-assisted procedure for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate.
The hospital launched the program in July and has since performed its first procedures using the treatment.
Aquablation uses imaging and robotics to guide a high-velocity, heat-free waterjet that removes excess prostate tissue that can cause urinary symptoms. The procedure is intended to provide long-term symptom relief while reducing the risk of certain side effects associated with traditional surgical approaches, according to the hospital.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, becomes more common as men age. About half of men experience BPH by age 60, according to Bridgeport Hospital. Symptoms can include frequent urination, difficulty beginning urination, a weak urinary stream and interrupted sleep caused by nighttime bathroom visits.
"For many men, symptoms of an enlarged prostate gradually become something they simply learn to live with, affecting everything from sleep to travel to daily activities," Dr. Steven Kardos, chief of urology at Bridgeport Hospital, said in a statement. "Aquablation gives us an important new option to help patients find lasting relief while preserving quality of life."
Kardos said the treatment could give patients another option when considering the potential side effects of surgery.
"It's changing the conversation around treatment because men no longer have to choose between living with bothersome symptoms and concerns about the side effects of surgery," he said.
Anne Diamond, president of Bridgeport Hospital, said the hospital evaluates new technologies and treatments based on their potential benefits for patients.
"By offering Aquablation therapy, we're expanding access to an innovative procedure that can make a meaningful difference for men experiencing the challenges of an enlarged prostate," Diamond said. "It's another example of our commitment to providing advanced care close to home."
The procedure joins other BPH services offered through Bridgeport Hospital and Yale New Haven Health, including diagnosis, medical management and procedural and surgical treatments.
More information about Aquablation therapy and urology services at Bridgeport Hospital, visit the Yale New Haven Health's website.
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