A new minimally invasive procedure is giving patients at Outer Banks Health the latest treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Outer Banks Health (OBH) Urology is now offering Aquablation therapy, a robot-assisted procedure that uses real-time ultrasound imaging and a heat-free, high-pressure water jet to treat an enlarged prostate, giving both local and visiting patients access to this advanced, state-of-the-art treatment on the Outer Banks.

Aquablation therapy treats lower urinary tract symptoms caused by BPH, a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges and leads to various symptoms. Without timely treatment, BPH can cause severe health issues like permanent bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and loss of control over the bladder.

BPH is one of the most common prostate conditions in men older than 50, with about half of men showing some signs of it by age 60 and its prevalence rising with age. Common symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, a weak or interrupted urine stream, inability to completely empty the bladder and dribbling at the end of urination.

Among the first patients to undergo the procedure locally is Dennis Spencer, 70, a longtime Outer Banks resident who relocated to Kill Devil Hills full-time in 2018. Dennis had struggled with urinary symptoms for many years, and says the treatment gave him a pain-free recovery and a return to normal life.

With a family history of prostate cancer and BPH on his paternal side, Dennis underwent testing when symptoms first arose, including MRIs and biopsies, through Amanda J. Pettibone-Pond, MD of OBH Urology. While cancer was never detected, his urinary symptoms — including frequency, incontinence and a weak stream — persisted.

That’s when Dr. Pond approached Dennis about Aquablation as a potential solution. Wary of traditional surgical approaches after watching his father endure a painful, lengthy recovery from an older BPH procedure, Dennis was initially apprehensive toward any surgical BPH solution. “I was nervous, but Dr. Pond is wonderful. She kept everything very light and was very informative,” he noted as he described Dr. Pond as willful and innovative in the urology field. “The procedure seemed a whole lot more precise, with cameras and high-pressure water, as opposed to knives cutting away at things; much better than what is nicknamed the ‘rotor-router,’” Dennis said. Using the water jet and robot assistance, Aquablation therapy allows the operating surgeon to remove only the enlarged tissue causing obstruction, preserving intimacy and urinary function.

Dennis underwent the procedure on a typical Thursday, following standard pre-operative preparation, and recovered overnight in the hospital. What stood out most, he said, was the absence of any postoperative pain. “What really shocked me was I had absolutely no pain after the procedure. I was stunned,” Dennis said. “There was nothing, no pain whatsoever, and I never even had to take a Tylenol.” Patients may not be required to stay overnight, as each case is different and insurance coverage may factor into the decision. “All of the staff were wonderful. Everyone was confident and knowledgeable in what they did. I felt completely comfortable and very confident in the care I received,” Dennis noted.

Just four weeks after the procedure, Dennis reports his urinary function has fully returned. “It’s a significant improvement; I’m emptying completely,” Dennis said, noting that his prior urinary retention had also contributed to many urinary tract infections. “It restored me to being fully functional again. I’ve stopped taking the Flomax (a prescription medication used to treat BPH symptoms) completely and I am as regular as I was back in my 40s.”

Beyond the physical results, Dennis said the procedure gave him his confidence back and improved his quality of life. “This procedure has given me the confidence back in the bathroom again and my wife and I can take normal road trips again,” he said. “I have no problem going to a public bathroom and being embarrassed; I feel terrific about it. I’m normal again.”

Dennis has since told many about his success and even referred a friend to Dr. Pond to pursue the same treatment. “This experience has been so great. I told my friend to go see Dr. Pond and get the procedure done,” he said. And according to Dennis, his friend has already been in contact with Dr. Pond.

OBH’s addition of Aquablation therapy, with special thanks to Dr. Amanda Pond, reflects its ongoing commitment to providing patients on the Outer Banks with access to advanced treatment options while reducing the need for residents to travel off the island for specialized urological care.

To contact Outer Banks Health Urology, call (252) 449-5965.