For three years, Marko treated his enlarged prostate with prescription medication until the day his condition sent him to the emergency room.

The 57-year-old Tarzana man was in severe discomfort on a trip from South America, having retained at least a day’s worth of urine. For a month, he wore a catheter until he finally found relief with the latest treatment, Aquablation therapy, performed by six Providence hospitals across L.A and Orange counties. 

Now, Marko wants other men to know about the robotic procedure he underwent at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center to remove excess prostate tissue that had blocked his urinary tract. He is among half the male population in their 50s who suffer benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement of the prostate gland.

“I’m sorry I didn’t do this two or three years ago,” Marko said.  “For every man who suffers an enlarged prostate, I highly recommend, do not wait. Look what happened to me! I was in so much pain.” 

Urologist Ali Afshar, M.D., performed the Tarzana hospital’s 100th procedure. A total of 30 physicians at these six hospitals have performed a total of 328 cases since the Providence program started last November with the first procedure at Providence Mission,

If left untreated, an enlarged prostate can cause significant health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence. Surgical treatment options often force men to choose between symptom relief and irreversible complications including sexual and urinary dysfunction.

Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a powerful water jet, a combination of real-time ultrasound and direct vision through a tiny camera inserted through the urethra.  Studies show the procedure is safe and effective, results in minimal bleeding and guards against complications including sexual side effects and incontinence. 

The AquaBeam Robotic System is the first FDA-cleared surgical robot utilizing automated tissue resection for the treatment of enlarged prostate. Aquablation therapy is effective regardless of prostate shape or size. 

The therapy appeals to men who have tried medication but are looking for a lasting solution with a very minimal risk of irreversible complications.

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