100th Aquablation procedure performed at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
February 26, 2026
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is proud to announce the 100th Aquablation therapy procedure, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of minimally invasive urologic care in the region.
Introduced locally in 2023, Aquablation therapy is an advanced, robotic treatment for men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. As the number one reason men visit their urologist, BPH affects approximately one in two men ages 51 to 60, with incidence increasing each decade of life if left untreated.
“Reaching our 100th Aquablation case represents an important milestone for our program and for the patients we serve,” said Dr. James Rybak, urologist at St. Elizabeth’s. “We’re proud to offer this advanced, evidence-based therapy to our community through a partnership with a hospital that prioritizes innovation and excellent patient care. This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team, especially our nursing staff, who are integral in delivering top-notch care to every patient.”
BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can lead to bothersome and sometimes serious lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including frequent urination, weak urinary stream, difficulty starting urination and incomplete bladder emptying.
Risk factors include age, family history, weight, inactivity and, in some cases, erectile dysfunction. Historically, surgical treatments for BPH have required men to balance symptom relief with the risk of side effects. Some procedures provide strong symptom improvement but carry higher rates of irreversible complications such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Rybak noted, “Aquablation therapy allows us to deliver precise, consistent treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia while preserving quality of life. The treatment is incision-free, minimally invasive and typically takes less than an hour.”
What Is Aquablation Therapy? Aquablation therapy is performed using the AquaBeam Robotic System, the first FDA-cleared surgical robot that utilizes automated tissue resection for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. Using detailed imaging, the surgeon creates a customized treatment map based on each patient’s unique prostate anatomy. The system then delivers a precisely controlled, heat-free waterjet to remove the prostate tissue causing symptoms.
Men experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate are encouraged to speak with their primary care physician or urologist to determine whether Aquablation therapy may be appropriate for them.
“St. Elizabeth’s Hospital remains committed to expanding access to innovative, evidence-based treatments like this and many others,” said President and CEO Chris Klay. “Our goal is to ensure patients in our community do not have to travel far for advanced care and that we consistently pair advanced technologies with the expertise of our physicians and care teams.”
Introduced locally in 2023, Aquablation therapy is an advanced, robotic treatment for men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. As the number one reason men visit their urologist, BPH affects approximately one in two men ages 51 to 60, with incidence increasing each decade of life if left untreated.
“Reaching our 100th Aquablation case represents an important milestone for our program and for the patients we serve,” said Dr. James Rybak, urologist at St. Elizabeth’s. “We’re proud to offer this advanced, evidence-based therapy to our community through a partnership with a hospital that prioritizes innovation and excellent patient care. This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team, especially our nursing staff, who are integral in delivering top-notch care to every patient.”
BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can lead to bothersome and sometimes serious lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including frequent urination, weak urinary stream, difficulty starting urination and incomplete bladder emptying.
Risk factors include age, family history, weight, inactivity and, in some cases, erectile dysfunction. Historically, surgical treatments for BPH have required men to balance symptom relief with the risk of side effects. Some procedures provide strong symptom improvement but carry higher rates of irreversible complications such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Rybak noted, “Aquablation therapy allows us to deliver precise, consistent treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia while preserving quality of life. The treatment is incision-free, minimally invasive and typically takes less than an hour.”
What Is Aquablation Therapy? Aquablation therapy is performed using the AquaBeam Robotic System, the first FDA-cleared surgical robot that utilizes automated tissue resection for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. Using detailed imaging, the surgeon creates a customized treatment map based on each patient’s unique prostate anatomy. The system then delivers a precisely controlled, heat-free waterjet to remove the prostate tissue causing symptoms.
Men experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate are encouraged to speak with their primary care physician or urologist to determine whether Aquablation therapy may be appropriate for them.
“St. Elizabeth’s Hospital remains committed to expanding access to innovative, evidence-based treatments like this and many others,” said President and CEO Chris Klay. “Our goal is to ensure patients in our community do not have to travel far for advanced care and that we consistently pair advanced technologies with the expertise of our physicians and care teams.”
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