Penn Highlands DuBois Introduces Advanced Aquablation® Therapy for Enlarged Prostate Treatment

Penn Highlands DuBois is bringing the latest innovation in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to the region with the addition of Aquablation® therapy, marking a significant advancement in care for men suffering from enlarged prostate symptoms.

BPH is one of the most common reasons men seek care from a urologist, with studies showing that BPH affects 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and nearly 90% of men over age 80.\

When the prostate enlarges, it can lead to bothersome urinary symptoms, including frequent urination, the urgent need to urinate, weak urinary stream, difficulty emptying the bladder and multiple trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

These symptoms often worsen over time if left untreated. But, despite this impact on their quality of life, many men delay seeking treatment.

“Too many men simply learn to live with the symptoms because they’re concerned about the risks associated with surgery or think it’s just a normal part of aging," said John Banerji, MD, a urologist with Penn Highlands Urology. “Aquablation allows us to offer an effective treatment that minimizes many of the tradeoffs we’ve traditionally had to discuss with patients.”

Aquablation therapy combines advanced imaging, robotic technology and artificial intelligence to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Surgeons work with the system to map the areas of the prostate that require treatment using AI-assisted planning software. Once the surgeon confirms the treatment plan, the system precisely removes excess prostate tissue using a powerful, heat-free stream of sterile saline.

Unlike traditional surgical approaches that cut or burn tissue — or implant devices to pull tissue aside — Aquablation uses only liquid and avoids the use of heat that can affect surrounding area. Previous treatment options often required patients to balance effectiveness with the potential for side effects, including urinary incontinence and changes in sexual function.

Clinical studies, however, have demonstrated that Aquablation therapy provides significant symptom relief while preserving quality of life. The procedure has shown preservation of sexual function in more than 90% of patients, while maintaining urinary continence in nearly all patients.

“Other procedures for treating BPH were considered the early gold standards,” said Dr. Banerji. “Aquablation represents a significant advancement in how we treat BPH. It gives us a minimally invasive, highly precise treatment that delivers durable relief while helping patients maintain the quality of life that matters most.”

The new technology has also improved efficiency in the operating room. From initial treatment planning through completion, the procedure typically takes about 45 minutes, roughly half the time required for many traditional surgical approaches.

The introduction of Aquablation therapy underscores Penn Highlands DuBois’ ongoing commitment to providing state-of-the-art medical technology and specialized urology care.

“We are excited to work with Dr. Banerji in bringing this cutting-edge technology to our patients,” said Mark Norman, Chief Operating Officer at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “This will allow access to high-quality care close to home.”

To learn more about Aquablation therapy, or to schedule a consultation with the Penn Highlands Urology team, visit www.phhealthcare.org/urology or call 814-375-9200.