EAU Upgrades Aquablation Therapy to Strong Recommendation Over TURP for BPH
The European Association of Urology elevated Aquablation therapy to a strong surgical recommendation for moderate-to-severe benign prostatic hyperplasia, endorsing it as an alternative to TURP for patients wishing to preserve ejaculatory function. It references outcomes from WATER, WATER II and WATER III trials showing durable symptom relief across prostate anatomies.
1. Guideline Upgrade Details
The European Association of Urology has advanced Aquablation therapy from a conditional to a strong surgical recommendation for men with moderate-to-severe benign prostatic hyperplasia. The guidelines now list it alongside or in place of transurethral resection of the prostate, particularly for patients prioritizing ejaculatory function preservation.
2. Clinical Evidence Base
This upgrade is underpinned by multiple randomized trials, including WATER and WATER II studies demonstrating sustained improvements in urinary symptoms, as well as emerging WATER III data against laser enucleation in larger glands. Evidence quality and favorable benefit-harm profiles across varied prostate sizes drove the guideline change.
3. Market and Patient Implications
The strong recommendation from a leading global urology body is poised to accelerate adoption of PROCEPT BioRobotics’ Aquablation systems across European markets and beyond. Recognition by health technology assessment bodies supports potential reimbursement expansions and broader patient access for this minimally invasive option.