UnityPoint Trinity Offers Quad Cities' First Robotic Prostate Treatment

UnityPoint Health® – Trinity is proud to introduce the  Quad Cities’ first HYDROS Robotic System for Aquablation, offering a new option for men  dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate.  

BPH is one of the most common urological issues in the U.S., and this minimally invasive  procedure provides a modern approach to treating it. Aquablation combines real‑time imaging  with a high‑velocity, heat‑free waterjet to precisely remove excess prostate tissue, helping  relieve the urinary symptoms that come with BPH. 

“Aquablation offers a number of benefits for patients,” says Morris Gist, MD, UnityPoint Clinic  Urology – Moline. “Unlike traditional surgery, it uses a physician‑controlled robotic system to  remove the enlarged, benign parts of the prostate causing blockage.” 

Dr. Gist says patients with BPH often opt for medicinal treatment over surgery, because of  concerns about complications affecting sexual or urinary function. Aquablation minimizes these  risks, with the goal of eliminating or reducing reliance on medicine.  

“Studies show this approach carries a lower risk of permanent side effects and helps people  experience lasting relief and an improved quality of life,” says Dr. Gist. 

UnityPoint Health – Trinity obtained the area’s first surgical robot in 2008. Since then, surgeons  at Trinity have performed more than 9,900 robotic-assisted surgeries, and the hospital has  continued its investment in robotic technology for less-invasive treatments and better patient  outcomes.  

Across UnityPoint Health, the organization completed more than 8,700 robotic-assisted surgical  cases in 2025 across 13 locations. 

Trinity currently has four robotic surgical systems including the Mako SmartRobotics (partial and  total joint replacements); ION Robotic System (minimally invasive lung biopsies), da Vinci Xi  Surgical System (thoracic surgery for lung cancer, as well as urological, bariatric, gynecological  and general surgeries); and now the HYDROS Robotic System for Aquablation.  

Individuals with urinary concerns are encouraged to talk to their primary care provider or contact  a urologist.