What the Research Says: The Clinical Trials Behind Aquablation
By Dr. Ahmed Ali Alnaimi, Consultant Urological Surgeon
New treatments should earn their place through evidence. Aquablation has been studied in several clinical trials, and the key results have been published in peer-reviewed urology journals.
WATER: Aquablation compared with TURP
The WATER study was a randomised, blinded trial comparing Aquablation with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the long-standing standard operation, in men with prostates of roughly 30 to 80 mL.
Improvement in urinary symptoms with Aquablation was similar to TURP, while ejaculatory problems were significantly less common after Aquablation. Follow-up continued for five years, and the symptom improvements were maintained over that time.
WATER II: large prostates
Large prostates are harder to treat with traditional TURP. The WATER II study looked specifically at men with prostates of about 80 to 150 mL. It reported substantial and lasting symptom relief, with sexual function preserved in most men, supporting Aquablation as an option for large glands.
Everyday experience
Results have also been reported from hospitals in many countries. They suggest that outcomes in routine practice broadly reflect the trials when the procedure is performed by experienced teams. Bleeding remains the main risk to discuss, and the methods used to control it have improved as experience has grown.
How to read the evidence
- Trials select patients carefully, so your own suitability still needs assessment
- Results describe groups of men, not guarantees for one individual
- Long-term durability data continue to build
What this means for you
The research supports Aquablation as an effective treatment for a wide range of prostate sizes, with a strong record on preserving sexual function. At a consultation, Dr. Ahmed Ali Alnaimi can explain how this evidence applies to your own prostate, symptoms and priorities.
Every prostate, and every patient, is different. A consultation gives you a clear picture of your own options.
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