Northside Hospital Forsyth was the first hospital in the world to offer Aquablation® therapy with the new HYDROS™ Robotic System.
Dr. Lewis Kriteman, a urologist, performed the first procedure Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 4. HYDROS Robotic System is the next-generation platform to treat men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate.
Aquablation therapy, now delivered by an AI-powered robotic system, is clinically proven to provide significant, durable BPH symptom relief while preserving sexual function and continence across prostates of all shapes and sizes.
BPH is an unfortunate reality of aging for millions of men and impacts urinary function, making it difficult to urinate and fully empty the bladder. Common indicators that a man may be experiencing BPH are the need to urinate immediately or urgently, urinating more often than normal and urinating frequently at night. Without timely treatment, BPH can lead to severe health issues such as permanent bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence. One in two men ages 51-60 have BPH1 and 99% of men say BPH impacts their quality of life.2 The standard treatment option today is surgery, but this has been shown to have an impact on sexual function and continence.
Aquablation therapy was designed to offer a minimally invasive and effective solution for BPH, minimizing the need for men to choose between safety and efficacy. Aquablation therapy is unique in its use of real-time, ultrasound-guided, robotic-assisted waterjet technology, allowing surgeons to create a personalized treatment plan that precisely targets which prostate tissue to remove and which to preserve. With this tailored approach, the system accurately removes problematic tissue while safeguarding critical anatomy.
The HYDROS Robotic System represents the next evolution in the delivery of Aquablation therapy. Leveraging insights from more than 50,000 procedures, HYDROS features FirstAssist AI™ treatment planning, advanced image guidance, robotic resection and a streamlined workflow. HYDROS is designed to improve efficiency, enhance surgeon and staff experience and deliver a more accurate and consistent treatment plan for better clinical outcomes.
The Northside Hospital health care system is among the top prostate and urologic cancer programs in Georgia, while Northside Hospital Forsyth has performed more Aquablation procedures than any other U.S. hospital.
“BPH is a widespread condition that severely compromises quality of life for countless men over age 50. With Aquablation therapy, men can reclaim their lifestyles and find relief from symptoms while preserving sexual function and continence — outcomes that have proven elusive with many traditional treatment modalities,” Dr. Kriteman, urologist with Northside Hospital and Georgia Urology, said.
"Northside Hospital’s investment in the most innovative equipment and specially trained urologists has enabled us to achieve extraordinary milestones like this one,” said Amy Fischer, director of surgical services at Northside Hospital Forsyth. “We are committed to providing our patients with the most advanced, minimally invasive treatment options available for any urologic condition."
The clinically proven procedure integrates next-generation ultrasound imaging and digital cystoscopy to provide the surgeon with a multi-dimensional, detailed view of the entire prostate, enabling personalized treatment planning tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy. Utilizing a heat-free waterjet, the robot executes the surgeon-defined treatment plan to remove obstructive tissue while protecting critical anatomy. This enables efficient and predictable waterjet resection, standardizing the operative experience across a wide range of prostate sizes and shapes.
Aquablation therapy is backed by five-year clinical data demonstrating significant durable symptom relief while preserving sexual function and continence across prostates of all shapes and sizes.
Get more information about cancer care at Northside.
Learn more about Aquablation therapy.
Pictured above: Taking part in the historic procedure are, from left, Tawissa Kyles, Dr. Lewis Kriteman and Wayne Randazzo on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at Northside Hospital Forsyth in Cumming, Ga.
- 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).
- Data on file at PROCEPT BioRobotics.
