A recent study published in the medical journal Urology found that performing aquablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) is both safe and effective – potentially shifting toward less invasive, same-day treatments for men with enlarged prostates.
Researchers at Potomac Urology Center in Alexandria, Virginia, conducted the first-ever pilot trial to assess the feasibility of aquablation as an outpatient procedure for men with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH.
BPH affects nearly half of men over age 50, often causing frequent urination, a weak stream and incomplete bladder emptying. Current treatments vary from medication to invasive surgery, but minimally invasive options such as aquablation are becoming more popular due to their effectiveness and easier recovery.
Aquablation uses ultrasound imaging along with robotically controlled high-speed water jets to accurately remove excess prostate tissue. The technique aims to lower the risks of lengthy recovery often linked to traditional surgery.
The pilot involved 101 men who underwent the procedure at a physician-owned ASC. The study assessed the safety of the procedure, symptom improvement and recovery outcomes, aiming to determine if the technology could be used safely and effectively without hospitalization.
Patients were monitored for three months postoperatively, after which clinical outcomes, including symptom scores, uroflow parameters, sexual health metrics and complications, were evaluated. Additionally, reimbursement data from 169 cases were analyzed to assess economic impact and contribution margins compared to traditional resective BPH procedures.
Results and implications
Researchers reported that 100% of procedures were completed successfully in the ASC, with complication rates and early postoperative outcomes comparable to or better than those seen in inpatient settings.
There were no 30-day emergency room visits or transfusions, and only one patient returned to surgery for bleeding, which occurred before his same-day discharge.
Patients showed significant improvements in urinary symptoms and flow rates while keeping a good safety profile.
The study also highlighted potential economic benefits, suggesting that outpatient aquablation could reduce hospital resource use and overall treatment costs.
“This is an important step toward expanding aquablation into outpatient care,” researchers noted. “Our early results indicate that patients can safely benefit from technology without the need for overnight observation.”
Despite the encouraging results, researchers highlighted that this was only a pilot, limited to a single center and a relatively small patient group. Larger, multi-center studies with extended follow-up will be necessary to confirm findings, evaluate long-term durability and conduct detailed cost analyses.
Nevertheless, early evidence suggests that aquablation could be a game-changing option for urologists and patients seeking effective, same-day relief from BPH.
