Taiwan's Chi Mei Medical Center introduces AI-assisted water jet prostate surgery | Taiwan News | Sep. 7, 2026 15:25

Chi Mei Medical Center in Taipei said it has introduced AI-assisted robotic technology for minimally invasive water-jet prostate surgery. The hospital described enlarged prostates as a cause of frequent urination, nighttime urination and a weaker urine stream in older men, sometimes progressing to urinary retention and damage to the bladder or kidneys. According to the urology team, the procedure removes excess tissue using high-speed water jets rather than heat, addressing concerns about thermal injury. It uses endoscopy and transrectal ultrasound to capture real-time images, while a robotic arm performs planned removal under automated computer control. Studies cited by the center for prostate volumes of 30–150 milliliters showed an average removal time of about 5.8 minutes, with complication rates below 1% for key issues in their comparative data.