AUA 2026 Annual Meeting Highlights: What Patients Should Know

Published: May 2026 • Written by David Robbins, MD, Board-Certified Urologist, North Miami, FL

Every year, the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting brings together thousands of urologists, researchers, and industry leaders to share the latest advances in the field. The 2026 meeting, held in Washington, DC, featured several developments that have real implications for patients. While much of the conference is highly technical, I want to translate the highlights that matter most into language that patients can use.

New BPH Guidelines Released

The AUA released its 2026 BPH management guidelines with 62 updated recommendations. The guidelines place greater emphasis on shared decision-making, minimally invasive procedures, and preserving sexual function during BPH treatment. For patients, this means more treatment options and more control over the decision-making process. I wrote a detailed breakdown of the BPH guidelines in a separate post.

New Devices for Enlarged Prostate

Two recently FDA-cleared devices were featured in pivotal trial presentations at the meeting:

• Urocross Expander System — a temporary prostatic stent that opens the urethra mechanically, then is removed after 6 months, with 30-month data showing sustained symptom improvement even after retrieval.
• Zenflow Prostatic Spring — another mechanical approach to opening the prostatic urethra, presented with pivotal trial results.

Both represent a new class of BPH treatment that avoids tissue removal entirely. While long-term durability data is still being collected, these devices may offer future patients additional options—particularly those who want to avoid medication side effects or traditional surgery.

Anesthesia-Free Kidney Stone Treatment

The Break Wave lithotripsy system, cleared by the FDA in January 2026, was featured with data from its pivotal SOUND trial. The device uses focused ultrasound to fragment kidney stones without anesthesia, sedation, or an operating room. If this technology proves effective in broad clinical use, it could shift how we approach smaller kidney stones—potentially treating them in the office rather than the OR. I covered this in more detail in our Break Wave blog post.

HoLEP vs. Rezum: Head-to-Head on Sexual Function

One of the most anticipated presentations compared sexual function and ejaculation outcomes between two popular BPH procedures: holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and water vapor therapy (Rezum). For men with BPH who are concerned about sexual side effects—particularly retrograde ejaculation—this type of head-to-head comparison provides the data needed to make an informed treatment choice. The results reinforce the 2026 guideline emphasis on discussing ejaculatory outcomes during BPH counseling.

Sacral Neuromodulation for Male OAB

The MOAB trial (Male Overactive Bladder), sponsored by Axonics, is actively recruiting and was highlighted at the meeting. This trial specifically studies sacral neuromodulation outcomes in men—a population that has historically been underrepresented in OAB device trials. At our practice, we have extensive experience with Axonics sacral neuromodulation for patients with refractory overactive bladder, and trials like MOAB will strengthen the evidence base for this effective treatment.

What Does This Mean for You?

The takeaway from AUA 2026 is clear: urology is moving toward treatments that are less invasive, more personalized, and more respectful of quality of life—including sexual function. Whether you are dealing with an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, overactive bladder, or prostate cancer screening questions, the options available today are more refined and more patient-centered than ever.

At Urological Consultants of Florida, Dr. Robbins stays current with the latest evidence and brings these advances directly to patient care. To discuss your specific condition or explore updated treatment options, visit our prostate health or kidney and urinary health pages.

Call (305) 575-2771 to schedule an appointment.