Timpanogos Regional Hospital performs first procedures in Utah using new technology to treat enlarged prostate
Benign hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, affects over 40 million men in America.
The first Utah men were treated this month at Timpanogos Regional Hospital using the latest generation of hydroablation technology for benign hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. The condition affects over 40 million men in America, causing difficulty with urination and increased frequency of urination at night. The latest generation of this robotic-assisted procedure is new to Utah, and the first four procedures were performed on February 12 by Dr. Roscoe "Rocky" Nelson on the campus of the Orem hospital.
"The procedures all went very well," said Dr. Nelson. "I’ve performed over 200 of these cases, and this new version of the technology makes it easier than ever to deliver better outcomes for patients suffering from this very common condition."
This new technology, called the HYDROS Robotic System, utilizes a robotically-controlled, heat-free water jet to remove prostate tissue. The precision of the system enables surgeons to mitigate the risk of reduced sexual function. According to Dr. Nelson, some other BPH interventions have as high as a 90% post-procedural risk of poor ejaculation. This new technology reduces that risk to just 10%, and virtually eliminates the risk of post-procedural erectile dysfunction.
There are two simple steps to prostatic hydroablation:
- Creating a surgical map — Unlike other available procedures, this therapy combines a camera (cystoscope) with real-time ultrasound imaging to view the entire prostate, allowing the surgeon to create a unique surgical map that is tailored to the patient’s prostate size and shape. This map helps the surgeon identify the areas of the prostate to remove and those to avoid, reducing damage to surrounding tissues.
- Removing the prostate tissue — With the surgical map in place, a surgeon-controlled, robotically-assisted, heat-free water jet removes prostate tissue.
"We’re proud to be the first facility in Utah to serve patients with this innovative technology," said Austin Manning, CEO of Timpanogos Regional Hospital. "It is estimated that 1 in 2 men ages 51-60 deal with this issue, and its prevalence only increases over time. Hydroablation therapy solves prostate issues while utilizing the combined power of robotics and water to reduce harmful side-effects, including the risk of reduced sexual function."
Dr. Nelson and several other physicians will be able to perform procedures using this technology at Timpanogos Regional Hospital. For a full list of physicians affiliated with MountainStar Healthcare facilities and the type of care and treatment they offer, visit MountainStar.com/physicians.
The community can learn more about this technology on April 21, when the hospital will be showing off the equipment at a surgical robotics fair. Details will be forthcoming at TimpHospital.com/classes.