In a groundbreaking achievement, the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), Visakhapatnam, has successfully performed Andhra Pradesh’s first UroLift® procedure, offering new hope to elderly patients with complex medical conditions.

The patient, a 72-year-old gentleman with a history of heart issues, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and long-term catheter dependence due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), had undergone multiple unsuccessful attempts at catheter removal.

Considering the patient’s high cardiac and anesthetic risk, Dr. G. Ravindra Varma, Managing Director and Senior Consultant Urologist, opted for the UroLift® System— a minimally invasive procedure that he safely performed under local anesthesia.

He was joined by Dr. Amit Saple, Executive Director and Senior Consultant Urologist, and Dr. P. Sridhar, Consultant Urologist, in executing this successful intervention.

The UroLift® System uses tiny implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra, thereby restoring normal urine flow without cutting or removing tissue.

Following the procedure, the patient was able to void spontaneously and is now catheter-free, significantly improving his comfort and quality of life.

“This was a technically challenging case in a high-risk patient. The success of achieving a catheter-free outcome using the UroLift® system under local anesthesia marks a significant advancement in managing BPH in elderly patients,” said Dr. G. Ravindra Varma, Managing Director, Senior Consultant who performed the procedure.

Dr. Amit Saple added, “The UroLift® System is a game-changer for high-risk BPH patients. It provides rapid symptom relief with minimal downtime, which is a key concern for many elderly men.”

This successful case not only sets a state-wide precedent but also reinforces AINU Visakhapatnam’s commitment to pioneering advanced and personalized urological care.