Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review discusses the role of aquablation therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in those with prostate volumes between 80 and 150 mL (WATER II trial).
Recent Findings
Aquablation therapy reduced International Prostate Symptoms Scores, improved urinary flow rate, and preserved ejaculatory function in the majority of sexually active patients. Other advantages include faster operative times and a shorter learning curve. Adverse events were low and predominantly centered around bleeding risk.
Summary
Aquablation therapy is effective and safe in the surgical management of large prostates thereby offering alternatives to surgeons and patients alike.
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References
Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
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•• Gilling P, Barber N, Bidair M, et al. WATER: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of aquablation vs transurethral resection of the prostate in benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2018;199:1252–61 The WATER trial established noninferiority of Aquablation to TURP with regards to procedural outcomes and safety profile.
•• Desai M, Bidair M, Bhojani N, Trainer A, et al. WATER II (80–150 mL) procedural outcomes. BJU Int. 2019;123:106–12 The WATER II trial showed that aquablation is effective in treating larger prostate sizes beyond the confines of the prostate size restrictions from the original WATER trial.
•• Desai M, Bidair M, Zorn C, Trainer A, et al. Aquablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia in large prostates (80–150 mL): 6-month results from the WATER II trial. BJU Int. 2019;124(2):321–8 This study was able to capture potential complications beyond the initial procedural reporting of the first WATER II manuscript.
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• Zorn K, Goldenberg S, Paterson R, So A, et al. Aquablation among novice users in Canada: a WATER II subpopulation analysis. Can Urol Assoc J. 2019;13(5):E113–8 This study highlights the ease in learning Aquablation for treatment of BPH.
• Elterman D, Bach T, Rijo E, Misrai V, et al. Transfusion rates after 800 aquablation procedures using various hemostasis methods. BJU Int. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.14990This study showed that prostate size and method of obtaining bladder neck hemostasis were important factors related to bleeding risk and transfusion in Aquablation.
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Dr. de los Reyes declares that he has no conflict of interest.
Drs. Elterman, Zorn, Bhojani declares he is an investigator and consultatnt for Procept BioRobotics.
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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.
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This article is part of the Topical Collection on BPH-Related Voiding Dysfunction
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De Los Reyes, T.J., Bhojani, N., Zorn, K.C. et al. WATER II Trial (Aquablation). Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 15, 225–228 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-020-00596-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-020-00596-y