YORK, Pa. — Penn State Health has a new robot: Aquablation's Aquabeam Robotic System that treats enlarged prostates.
"Fifty percent of men over the age 51--between 51 and 60--are affected by the enlargement of the prostate, resulting in symptomatology," said Dr. Joe Littlejohn.
That number grows with age. In fact, he says 90% of men above the age of 85 have this issue.
The new Aquablation's Aquabeam Robotic System uses camera and ultrasound imaging combined with advanced software that offers multidimensional views of the treatment area.
"There's an ultrasound probe that allows you to see the prostate in real time while the procedure causes high pressure fluid to oblate the tissue and kind of remove tissues--almost like a pressure washer," the doctor said.
The minimally invasive surgical procedure has several advantages over prior treatment methods, including providing patients with long-term relief and not having negative side effects on sexual activity.
"This treatment also handles very big prostates very quickly and allows for preservation of ejaculatory function and does not use thermal energy to achieve this, so this kind of puts it in a very nice position for individuals that may not tolerate larger procedures," Dr. Littlejohn said.
If the condition is left untreated, an enlarged prostate can cause significant health problems, including bladder stones and kidney damage.
Dr. Littlejohn says he is excited to bring this option to his patients in Central Pennsylvania and will start performing the surgeries this week. For more information on Penn State Health, click here.