Ground-breaking robotic tech for prostate surgery installed at the Ulster Hospital
Aquablation Therapy eliminates the need for invasive prostate surgery and is the first treatment of its kind to be rolled out on the the island of Ireland.
Belfast man David Fleming has become one of the first patients to benefit from the new technology.
'I have had an enlarged prostate for the last 10 years and I have been suffering with urine retention that required a hospital admission where I also required a catheter to be fitted.
'When my consultant informed me of this new technology a few months ago during a telephone call, I was excited to give it a go.'
The precision technique involves using image-guided, high-velocity water jets to remove excess prostate tissue and is one of the most advanced and innovative treatments currently available for patient's experiencing urinary symptoms.
Living with an enlarged prostate can have a detrimental impact on day-to-day life and can cause a frequent need to pee and difficulty fully emptying their bladder.
If left untreated, it can lead to more severe symptoms such as acute urinary retention and infections.
"The benefits of Aquablation were explained to me and I thought it was a no brainer, basically because it is more accurate, there is less blood loss and a shorter period under anaesthetic as well with better outcomes,' Mr Fleming said.
'This will really make a difference and will greatly improve my quality of life, as I will now be able to remove the catheter which can be inconvenient. I was nervous undergoing the procedure, but the staff in the Day Procedure Unit in the Ulster Hospital have been fantastic at making me feel at ease. I would definitely recommend it.'
The South Eastern Trust has been chosen to enhance the Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO) service by using real-time ultrasound imaging to assist surgeons in mapping and directing the water jet with accuracy to avoid damage to nearby nerves and structures responsible for sexual function and continence.
Unlike traditional procedures, no heat is involved, significantly lowering the risk of complications.
The state-of-the-art technology reduces the likelihood of side effects such as erectile dysfunction, incontinence and bleeding that may require transfusion – it also offers shorter hospital stays and lower retreatment rates, improving overall outcomes for patients.
Consultant Urologist, Mr Ajay Pahuja, believes it is cause for optimism.
'We are excited to launch this remarkable robotic technology that offers significant benefits for our Urology patients," he said.
"Aquablation Therapy helps avoid invasive surgery and its associated risks, offering quicker recovery times and minimal discomfort. The robotic precision ensures targeted treatment, significantly reducing the chances of damaging surrounding tissues. Early outcomes have shown rapid and significant improvement in urinary symptoms.'
Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Aquablation Therapy in providing substantial relief from symptoms and maintaining low rates of irreversible complications.
Patient-reported outcomes are equal to, or better than alternative procedures, with this treatment boasting 99.5% continence preservation rate, preserving 100% of erectile function and maintaining 89% of ejaculatory function.
South Eastern Trust Director of Surgery, Maggie Parks hopes to see similar results among male patients being treated at the Ulster Hospital which is commited to delivering world-class care.
"As a Centre of Excellence in the South Eastern Trust, we are proud to lead the way in Northern Ireland, giving patients from across the Region access to the latest technology and the highest standards of treatment,' she said.
Assistant Director of Surgery Katharine Dane added, 'Bringing the Aquablation service to Northern Ireland has been a collaborative project between our colleagues in SPPG (Performance, Safety and Service Improvement Department) and a variety of corporate and operational teams within the South Eastern Trust. We are all delighted to now see this service come to fruition and be able to make a significant difference to men's health across the Region. Being able to offer a full range of treatments for patients with bladder outlet problems is very exciting for all the teams involved.'
Delighted to be partnering with the South Eastern Trust, Procept BioRobotics Account Manager, Bobby Badesha said, 'We are excited to be working closely with the Trust to bring Aquablation Therapy to patients in Northern Ireland.
'This partnership highlights our commitment to expanding access to innovative, minimally invasive treatments for prostate patients improving outcomes and their quality of life.'
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