AHN Becomes the First Health System in Western Pennsylvania to Offer AI-Powered Therapy to Treat Enlarged Prostate

PITTSBURGH, PA – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is the first health care system in Western Pennsylvania to offer Aquablation® therapy with the new HYDROS™ Robotic System, a next-generation platform to treat men affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate. Aquablation therapy, now delivered by an AI-powered robotic system, is clinically proven to provide significant, long-lasting BPH symptom relief while preserving sexual function and continence.

Photo obtained from: Allegheny Health Network

Affecting approximately 40 million men in the United States, BPH disrupts urinary function, making it difficult to fully empty the bladder. When worsening symptoms are left untreated, BPH can cause severe health issues including urinary tract infections, incontinence, development of bladder or kidney stones and even permanent damage to the bladder and/or kidneys.

Standard treatment for men with advanced BPH includes surgical options such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), greenlight photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP), or simple prostatectomy. A less invasive alternative, UroLift™ uses surgical clips to lift and retract prostate tissue. All are effective treatment options but still carry either the risk of post-surgical side effects or compromised benefit.

For patients with moderate to severe symptoms of an enlarged prostate and require surgical treatment, Aquablation therapy provides a minimally invasive and effective treatment for BPH. Utilizing robotic-assisted, heat-free waterjet technology, it allows for a personalized approach that precisely targets and removes problematic prostate tissue, offering patients a safe and effective treatment alternative.

The HYDROS robotic system, which is informed by over 50,000 procedures, uses FirstAssist AI™ for treatment planning, advanced image guidance and robotic resection. This enhances efficiency and delivers more accurate, consistent treatment for improved clinical outcomes.

“We are incredibly proud to lead the way in Western Pennsylvania by introducing Aquablation therapy to patients in our region who are experiencing advanced stage BPH,” says Goutham Vemana, MD, chair, AHN Urology. “This minimally invasive procedure, backed by extensive clinical data, offers men a superior treatment option, improving their quality of life.”

Dr. Vemana says patients undergoing the therapy tend to recover more quickly and are less likely to experience side effects, such as urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, which are often associated with more invasive treatment options.

“AHN's urology team has long pioneered advanced urological care in our region, consistently leading in technological advancements and minimally invasive procedures,” says Sricharan Chalikonda, MD, chair, AHN Surgery Institute. “This latest addition of an AI-powered therapy for a common urologic condition further demonstrates their commitment to providing patients with the highest-quality care.”

The AHN Department of Urology offers specialized centers that focus on common urological conditions affecting both men and women. The centers provide care for conditions such as prostate cancer, kidney and adrenal tumors, erectile dysfunction, infertility, urinary dysfunction and more.

To schedule an appointment with an AHN urologist, call (412) DOCTORS.

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About PROCEPT BioRobotics Corporation

PROCEPT BioRobotics is a surgical robotics company focused on advancing patient care by developing transformative solutions in urology. Its HYDROS™ Robotic System is the next-generation, AI-powered platform for Aquablation® therapy, a BPH treatment clinically proven to deliver significant, durable symptom relief while preserving sexual function and continence in prostates of all shapes and sizes. The Company has developed a significant and growing body of clinical evidence, including numerous clinical studies and peer-reviewed publications, that support the benefits and clinical advantages of Aquablation therapy.