Florida Urology Partners Performs First-Ever Aquablation Therapy at Tampa General Hospital

Florida Urology Partners has performed their first-ever Aquablation procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at Tampa General Hospital (TGH). This minimally invasive groundbreaking procedure utilizes image-guided high-precision waterjet technology.

The procedure was conducted by Dr. Raviender Bukkapatnam, president of Florida Urology Partners, chief of TGH Urology Institute, Quality Committee Chair to the Board of Directors at Tampa Geneal Hospital and TGH Foundation Board of Trustees. This achievement showcases Tampa General Hospital's commitment to offering state-of-the-art medical procedures to patients affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Aquablation is a no-incision, no-heat procedure that uses a high-pressure waterjet controlled by robotic technology to precisely remove excess prostate tissue to relieve BPH symptoms. BPH is a common condition in men, characterized by the enlargement of the prostate gland, leading to urinary difficulties. Aquablation offers an innovative approach to address this issue, combining the accuracy of robotics with the gentleness of water. This innovative therapy offers long-term relief to BPH symptoms with low risk of side effects or complications.

Aquablation therapy is specifically designed to treat BPH, providing relief from symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequent urination, and weak urine flow. It offers a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical treatments, promising a better quality of life for those suffering from this condition. Patients often experience rapid symptom relief and a substantial improvement in their overall quality of life. The procedure's precision reduces the risk of complications, making it a compelling choice for individuals seeking treatment for BPH.

Florida Urology Partners is a nationally recognized urologic specialty consortium which provides world-class comprehensive care and treatment for a wide range of conditions, including highly complex urological and other closely related cancers. Their team of experienced urologists is dedicated to staying at the forefront of medical advancements to provide top-notch care to patients across the Tampa Bay region and is proud to offer Aquablation as part of their clinical practice.

"Aquablation therapy represents a significant step forward in urological care, and Florida Urology Partners, in collaboration with Tampa General Hospital, are committed to delivering the most advanced and effective treatments,"  Bukkapatnam said.

Tampa General Hospital stands as a premier healthcare institution with a long-standing commitment to providing cutting-edge medical procedures and exceptional patient care. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a highly skilled medical team, the hospital has consistently led the way in medical innovation.

"This milestone of performing the first Aquablation therapy at Tampa General Hospital reflects our dedication to offering the best in healthcare. We are proud to make innovative treatments like this available to our patients," Bukkapatnam said.

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About Florida Urology Partners

Florida Urology Partners, LLP is a comprehensive urology group made up of exceptionally trained, highly specialized, and nationally recognized physicians. Utilizing the latest technological advancements available in medicine, we provide superior patient care at our urology and radiation oncology offices in the Tampa Bay area. Our mission is to provide our community with access to an excellent group of physicians and staff who provide state-of-the-art integrated urological radiation oncology and pathology services and care with respect and compassion. To further the Mission of providing access to more patients for complex and highly targeted care and treatment, Florida Urology Partners aligned with Tampa General Hospital in 2021 as part of its Physician Enterprise. Through this alignment strategy, Florida Urology Partners is now part of the TGH Cancer Institute and other closely related support services, to ensure world-class, innovative care to its patients across the state of Florida.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 1,040-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region’s only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News and World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system’s commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and sixth out of 100 Florida companies in the 2022 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit worth more than $224.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation’s busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital’s footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging powered by Tower outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org).  As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

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Media Contact

Diva Leon-Smith

Florida Urology Partners

Office: 813-825-2114

E-Mail: Diva.Smith@fl-urology.com

Beth Hardy, APR

Tampa General Hospital

Cell: 727-510-6363