New surgical technologies hasten recovery for Beebe patients

Beebe Healthcare is continuously investing in the latest tools and technologies to further its position as the premier healthcare leader on Delmarva.

These investments ensure that the highest-quality, safest, outcomes-based care is available for those who live in, work in and visit Sussex County. In line with that commitment, the healthcare system recently introduced two new technologies: Aquablation therapy and SpyGlass Discover.

Aquablation therapy is an innovative treatment option for men who have an enlarged prostate, aka benign prostatic hyperplasia. Surgeons trained to perform this procedure use a camera-aided scope, ultrasound imaging and a heat-free, high-velocity waterjet to carefully resect the prostate. It removes excess tissue and reduces the size of the prostate using a less-invasive approach to prostate surgical care.

“Aquablation therapy can be an effective treatment option for men who are experiencing urinary challenges as a result of BPH, recognized as the No. 1 reason why men see a urologist,” said Christopher Caputo, MD, a board-certified urologist at Beebe. “The procedure typically takes about one hour and can be performed for men whose prostate is any shape or size. The side effects are minimal, and patients typically benefit from long-lasting relief. We are very pleased that we are now able to offer this innovative and effective treatment option for our patients.”

Signs and symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, urgency to urinate, increased urination at night, difficult urinating and challenges with fully emptying the bladder. Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, bladder damage and kidney damage are also risk factors of BPH. Aquablation therapy can address these issues effectively while preserving the sexual functionalities of the male anatomy.

SpyGlass Discover is a state-of-the-art tool that optimizes the process of care for patients who are suffering from gallstones. It is a high-resolution scope that improves visualization of gallstones, making it easier for surgeons to remove obstructing stones from the bile duct.

In many instances, SpyGlass allows surgeons to achieve — in one operative case — what would otherwise require a patient to undergo multiple surgical procedures.

“SpyGlass offers a minimally invasive approach for removal of gallstones present in the bile duct, and achieves over 95 percent successful stone clearance,” said Dr. Christopher Manieri, a general surgeon who leads the SpyGlass program at Beebe and was the first surgeon in Delaware to perform the procedure. “Beebe is the first healthcare system in the region to offer this technology, underscoring its mission to deliver leading-edge care close to home.”