Aquablation therapy works by removing excess prostate tissue caused by prostate enlargement due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The treatment enables our surgeons to remove sections of your prostate safely with minimal side effects.

At The London Clinic our surgeons perform the treatment using the advanced AQUABEAM robotic system. 

The AQUABEAM has an integrated camera and probe which your surgeon inserts into your urethra and bladder.

Using robotics and ultrasound your anatomy can be surgically mapped and the treatment adjusted to your individual prostate size and shape. 

The cystoscope camera combined with ultrasound provides ‘real time’ imaging, so that your surgeon can target and safely remove excess prostate tissue using the heat-free waterjet, without damaging nearby tissue.

Studies have found Aquablation therapy is both effective and long lasting.

Aquablation therapy is heat-free with less complications and risk of heat injury. 

The combination of ultrasound imaging and robotics enables your surgeon to tailor the therapy to your individual anatomy, without damaging surrounding tissue.

The whole treatment takes around an hour, and the surgical resection of the prostate takes around 3 to 5 minutes. 

Research suggests Aquablation has several advantages including: 

• Fewer complications 
• Better outcomes post-surgery 
• Better preservation of the surrounding tissue that controls: 
• Erectile Function
• Ejaculation
• Continence

How long it takes to recover from Aquablation therapy depends on how fit and healthy you are before your surgery. 

It’s likely you will return to normal activities within a few days.

During the 1-hour procedure, your surgeon will fit you with a catheter, which will need to stay in place for around 1-2 nights post operation. 

You might experience a mild burning sensation on urination for a couple of days post-surgery, as well as rectal soreness, but tend to be symptom-free after a few days.

There is no post-treatment or rehabilitation required for Aquablation therapy, and after a one-to-two-night stay, you can return home.

We’ll closely monitor your recovery with regular follow-ups, and if there’s anything you need help with, your personal care team are always on hand to help.

Aquablation therapy is a relatively low-risk procedure however all surgeries carry some risk of complications. 

The most common side-effects post-surgery are:

• mild pain or difficulty when urinating
• pelvic discomfort
• mild rectal discomfort
• blood in the urine
• inability to empty the bladder or frequent urge to urinate
• possible urinary tract infection (UTI)

There have been a few reported cases of Aquablation therapy causing retrograde ejaculation (where semen travels backwards towards the bladder) and urethral or rectal damage. 

However, this is quite rare and probably less likely to occur with Aquablation than other surgeries.

The London Clinic’s skilled urology consultants and nursing staff are always on hand to explain the risks and benefits of each treatment and answer any questions you might have before or after surgery.

Aquablation therapy is one of several treatment options we offer for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Your consultant might recommend one or more of these treatments depending on: 

• Your age
• Your general health
• The severity of your symptoms

The alternative treatments to Aquablation therapy we offer are:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery – an operation to remove prostate tissue.
• Medication – drug treatment for prostate enlargement, particularly in the early stages.
• Urolift – a minimally invasive procedure that rapidly improves urine flow without the loss of ejaculatory or erectile function.
• Prostate artery embolisation – a procedure that involves blocking the arteries that supply blood to the prostate, causing it to shrink.
• iTind – a temporary implant device that improves the flow of urine.