Dr. Lewis Kriteman First in the World to Offer Next-Generation AI-Powered Treatment of Enlarged Prostate
Northside Hospital Forsyth, in partnership with Georgia Urology, was the first in the world to offer Aquablation® therapy with the new HYDROS™ Robotic System. This next-generation platform is set to revolutionize the treatment for men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate. The new AI-powered robotic system offers a clinically proven solution to provide significant, durable relief from BPH symptoms while preserving sexual function and continence across prostates of all shapes and sizes.
BPH is a reality of aging for millions of men and impacts urinary function, making it difficult to urinate and fully empty the bladder. Common indicators that a man may be experiencing BPH are the need to urinate immediately or urgently, urinating more often than usual, and urinating frequently throughout the night. Without timely treatment, BPH can lead to severe health issues such as permanent bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence. One in two men ages 51-60 have BPH1, and 99% of men say BPH impacts their quality of life2. The standard treatment option today is surgery, but this has been shown to affect sexual function and continence.
Aquablation therapy was designed to offer a minimally invasive and effective solution for BPH, minimizing the need for men to choose between safety and efficacy. Aquablation therapy is unique in its use of real-time, ultrasound-guided, robotic-assisted waterjet technology, allowing surgeons to create a personalized treatment plan that precisely targets which prostate tissue to remove and which to preserve. With this tailored approach, the system accurately removes problematic tissue while safeguarding critical anatomy.
Dr. Lewis Kriteman, partner and a leading urologist at Georgia Urology, was the first surgeon in the world to perform the procedure using the HYDROS Robotic System. Dr. Kriteman is a nationally recognized BPH expert and one of the most experienced surgeons globally in Aquablation therapy.
“BPH is a widespread condition that severely affects the quality of life for many men over 50,” said Dr. Kriteman. “The opportunity to offer Aquablation therapy with the HYDROS Robotic System is a significant advancement for our patients. This next-generation system, combined with our extensive experience, allows us to provide more effective relief from BPH symptoms while better preserving sexual function and continence—outcomes that are often challenging to achieve with traditional treatments. With this technology, men can truly reclaim their lives.”
The HYDROS Robotic System represents the next evolution in the delivery of Aquablation therapy. Leveraging insights from over 50,000 procedures, HYDROS features FirstAssist AI™ treatment planning, advanced image guidance, robotic resection, and a streamlined workflow. HYDROS is designed to improve efficiency, enhance surgeon and staff experience, and deliver a more accurate and consistent treatment plan for better clinical outcomes.
The Northside Hospital health care system is among the top prostate and urologic cancer programs in Georgia, while Northside Hospital Forsyth has performed more Aquablation procedures than any other U.S. hospital.
“Northside Hospital’s investment in the most innovative equipment and specially trained urologists, such as Dr. Kriteman, has enabled us to achieve extraordinary milestones like this one,” said Amy Fischer, director of surgical services at Northside Hospital Forsyth. “We are committed to providing our patients with the most advanced, minimally invasive treatment options available for any urologic condition.”
The clinically proven procedure integrates next-generation ultrasound imaging and digital cystoscopy to provide the surgeon with a multi-dimensional, detailed view of the entire prostate, enabling personalized treatment planning tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy. Utilizing a heat-free water jet, the robot executes the surgeon-defined treatment plan to remove obstructive tissue while protecting critical anatomy. This enables efficient and predictable waterjet resection, standardizing the operative experience across a wide range of prostate sizes and shapes.
Aquablation therapy is backed by 5-year clinical data demonstrating significant, durable symptom relief while preserving sexual function and continence across prostates of all shapes and sizes.
Resources:
[1] Roehrborn, CG, Rosen, RC. Medical therapy options for aging men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: focus on alfuzosin 10 mg once daily. Clinical Interventions in Aging 2008:3(3).
[2] Data on file at PROCEPT BioRobotics.
