An innovative procedure for treating enlarged prostate

It’s common as men age, the prostate gland can swell, prompted by a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – this is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The squeeze caused by the swelling, limits function of the urethra and can lead to symptoms such as difficulty, or a frequent need for, urinating and causes urgency, too. To this point, treatment options included lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery, depending on the severity of symptoms.

While options have been available, Retreat Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond has now ushered in a new era, in urological care, as the first hospital in Central Virginia offering a state-of-the-art robotic therapy addressing BPH.

The advanced, minimally invasive technique, called Aquablation, uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide long-lasting symptom relief and overall improvement with a quick recovery time and without compromising sexual function. Until this point, many men had to address BPH with options that may compromise or reduce sexual function.

Having this procedure available in Central Virginia, at Retreat Doctors’ Hospital, is an asset as it is estimated one in two men, ages 51 to 60 have BPH, and the incidence increases every decade of life.

Retreat Doctors’ Hospital administrator, Nancy Boykin, DNP, MBA, RN, CMSRN, CENP shares, “Retreat Doctors’ Hospital is proud to be a leader in urology care in Central Virginia, and we’re excited to introduce Aquablation therapy—a cutting-edge technology that enhances how we care for our patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This advanced, minimally invasive treatment allows our patients to experience greater precision, fewer side effects, and faster recovery times, all while receiving the trusted, high-quality care Retreat is known for.”

If left untreated, BPH can cause significant health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence. It is important to note, BPH is not the same as prostate cancer and does not increase the risk of developing cancer.

An established option, but new to this area of Central Virginia, Aquablation therapy is a unique, next generation BPH treatment that is removing the tradeoff between long-term symptom relief and irreversible side effects. Patients can now get significant symptom relief with less risk of side effects impacting their quality of life, compared to the surgical alternatives.

Dr. William M. Bruch, a urologist in Richmond affiliated with Henrico Doctors' Hospitals, who has just completed the procedure at Retreat Doctors’ Hospital, shared:
“It’s always exciting to have new technology, particularly when it benefits the patient [as compared to] older technology…it’s exciting to give patients the opportunity to pursue [these outcomes].”

Learn more about BPH and aquablation therapy by talking with your provider and visiting RetreatDoctors's website.