Samsung Seoul Hospital Introduces 'AI Robot Surgery' for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The Department of Urology at Samsung Medical Center announced on the 17th that it has introduced the cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) robotic surgical equipment 'Aquablation' for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and performed the first surgery using it.

Professor Lee Gyuseong of the Department of Urology at Samsung Medical Center is performing surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia using the robotic surgical equipment 'AquaBlation'.
[Photo by Samsung Medical Center]

Aquablation, developed by the American company Procept BioRobotics, was recognized for its safety and efficacy in the new medical technology evaluation conducted last year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, making it available for use in Korea as well.

The Aquablation AI robotic surgery is an advanced surgical method that analyzes the prostate and surrounding bladder structures in real-time through urethroscopy and ultrasound devices according to a pre-planned surgical guidance map, allowing precise removal of the desired area by understanding the various sizes and shapes of the prostate unique to each patient.

Unlike conventional surgeries that use laser or electrocautery, this method removes prostate tissue using high-pressure water jets. It minimizes thermal damage to the surrounding tissues and is known to have excellent treatment outcomes, with almost no reported complications such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction compared to other surgical methods.

Additionally, retrograde ejaculation, which occurs in more than 85-90% of cases in transurethral prostatectomy or holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) surgeries, occurs in only 0-7% of cases with Aquablation, making it a safer option for patients wishing to preserve sexual function.

Professor Lee Gyu-sung, head of the Department of Urology and Director of the Future Medicine Research Institute, said, "Based on extensive experience performing various surgeries such as HoLEP and transurethral prostatectomy as treatment techniques for benign prostatic hyperplasia over a long period, Samsung Medical Center now possesses 'all options' for BPH treatment by adding Aquablation robotic surgical equipment. We will continue to play a leading role in the treatment of prostate diseases."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.