A breakdown from Madrid, March 2025 – European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress.
What Was Announced?
Doctors revealed the first big study comparing two modern operations for an enlarged prostate:
Aquablation – A robot that guides a fast, precise jet of water to clear the extra prostate tissue.
Laser enucleation (HoLEP) – A surgeon who uses a powerful laser to cut and remove the tissue.
More than 200 men with large prostates (roughly the size of a small orange) took part.
Why Is It Important?
Men worry about two things after prostate surgery:
- Accidental urine leaks (incontinence).
- Losing the ability to ejaculate during sex.
The new study, called WATER III, showed:
- 0% of Aquablation patients had urine leaks vs 1 in 10 laser patients.
- 85% of Aquablation patients could still ejaculate normally vs about 1 in 4 laser patients.
- Symptom relief (stronger flow, fewer night-time trips) was equally good with both operations.
- The time in the operating theatre was under an hour for both groups.
- No one in either group needed a blood transfusion.
In short: Aquablation fixed the blockage just as well, but kept bladder control and sexual function for far more men.
What Could Change for Patients?
- More choice: More hospitals may start offering Aquablation alongside laser surgery in the future.
- Better quality of life: Men can expect fewer side-effects that affect sex and daily activities.
- Short learning curve for surgeons: The robot and live ultrasound guide the water jet, so experts say it’s quicker to master than laser surgery.
Quick Recap of Aquablation
- Real-time ultrasound shows the exact shape of the prostate.
- A robotic arm lines up a thin nozzle.
- A high-speed water jet removes the extra tissue, sparing the nerves that control urine and ejactulation.
- Most patients go home the next day, sometimes the same day.
The WATER III study suggests Aquablation could become the go-to operation for men with enlarged prostate, because it solves the problem without sacrificing bladder control or sexual function. For more information, visit the official press release for the EU25.
Midlands Urology is one of the first UK centres to offer Aquablation therapy.
If you’re experiencing weak flow, frequent nighttime trips, or other symptoms of an enlarged prostate, our specialist team can assess whether this new water-jet procedure is right for you. Book a consultation today or enquire for more information.