Kaiser Permanente is proud to announce that the Mid-Atlantic Kaiser Permanente Urology Institute successfully completed its 100th innovative, minimally invasive aquablation procedure to treat patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate.
The innovative surgery uses water jets to surgically remove prostate tissue with robotic precision. It is the only procedure that combines a camera (cystoscope) with ultrasound imaging, giving the surgeon the ability to visualize the ablation in real time. For patients, this procedure offers an effective, long-term treatment for enlarged prostate, while minimizing the risk of complications like erectile dysfunction and incontinence.
“Aquablations are incredibly effective procedures with the power to give men the freedom to go back to doing what they love,” said Kai Li, MD, a urologist at Kaiser Permanente who performed the first aquablation within Kaiser Permanente in February 2022.
An Incisionless Procedure for Long-Lasting Results
During the procedure, urologists insert into the urethra, a probe attached to a robotic system, which uses pressurized room-temperature saline to carve out and remove overgrown prostate tissue. After the procedure, which requires no incisions, most patients stay one night in the hospital and go home the following morning without a catheter. According to a 2022 study, 95 percent of men who had aquablation surgery five years earlier did not need retreatment.
One Patient’s Experience
Michael Cominski’s quality of life was declining. Frequent nighttime bathroom breaks left him sleep deprived, while traveling, one of Cominski’s favorite pastime, was becoming a source of anxiety as he worried about finding the next restroom.
In February, 2024, the 68-year-old met with Dr. Kai Li to discuss long-lasting, minimally invasive surgical options for BPH. Due to the size of Cominski’s prostate, Dr. Li determined he was a good candidate for an aquablation procedure.
After a short and successful procedure, Cominski had a smooth recovery and was back home the next day. Cominski is happy to report that after just a couple of months, he is completely recovered with no complications and can return to stress-free traveling with his wife and enjoy a full night’s sleep without interruption.
“I’ve known many other men, friends of mine, who would have walked over broken glass to have this procedure several years ago,” said Cominski. “Having the aquablation [procedure]has greatly improved my quality of life and sleep quality, which of course benefits my overall health.”
A Common Culprit for Urinary Issues
BPH, or enlarged prostate, is the most common prostate problem for men over 50. By age 60, half of all men will have BPH. By age 80, that number jumps to 90 percent.
Because the prostate is located under the bladder, men with BPH often experience a variety of urination problems, including:
- Needing to urinate more than every two hours
- Urinary urgency
- Frequent trips to the bathroom at night
- Trouble starting to urinate
- A week or interrupted urine stream
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Incomplete emptying
- Accidental leaking
If left untreated, BPH can cause the bladder to weaken and lose the ability to empty completely. This has the potential to lead to serious complications, like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, urinary retention and kidney damage. Yet many men are nervous to seek care because of potential side effects like erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence and ejaculatory problems. Luckily, new minimally invasive surgeries spare many men of the uncomfortable side effects.
Cutting-Edge Treatments for BPH
Based on each patient’s specific needs and medical history, urologists at Kaiser Permanente offer a wide variety of procedures and medication-based therapies to treat enlarged prostate – many of which have minimal to no effect on sexual dysfunction.
“As physicians, our goal is to help each patient with BPH find the treatment that will work best for their unique needs and health goals, whether it’s medication, surgery or a new minimally invasive procedure,” said Dr. Li.
Learn more about urologic care at Kaiser Permanente.
About Kaiser Permanente:
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
