Many patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have taken medication for years, only to find that their urinary stream gradually becomes weaker and the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying becomes more severe. This often leads to significant stress in daily life. Because medication alone may eventually reach its limits, patients may begin to consider surgical treatment. However, traditional surgical procedures that remove prostate tissue can involve concerns about anesthesia, bleeding, and recovery time.
As an alternative, the iTind procedure has emerged as a potential option. The iTind system works by inserting a temporary nitinol stent into the prostate for approximately one week to widen the urethra. Because the procedure improves urinary flow without removing prostate tissue, it has been considered an intermediate treatment option between medication and conventional surgery. However, an important point is that the procedure is not as simple as it may appear. In practice, treatment outcomes can vary significantly depending on the patient’s condition, the physician’s experience, and the hospital where the procedure is performed.
One of the first questions patients ask during consultation is about anesthesia. Because iTind is widely described as a minimally invasive procedure without large surgical incisions, many people assume the anesthesia process will also be simple. In reality, local anesthesia alone is often not sufficient to control discomfort. As a result, spinal anesthesia or caudal anesthesia may be required. In addition, structured pain management is important because some degree of discomfort can continue for several days after the procedure.
Another important consideration is the use of imaging equipment. A C-arm imaging system is typically required to confirm the correct position of the stent. If this type of equipment is not available, the stent may be placed incorrectly, which could lead to complications such as urethral injury or bleeding.
In the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, iTind represents a treatment option that sits between medication and conventional surgery. When patients are carefully selected, favorable outcomes may be expected. However, the procedure is not suitable for every patient. Factors such as prostate size, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and the presence of bladder neck obstruction should be evaluated comprehensively to determine whether the procedure is appropriate. This selection process is generally more precise in hospitals where physicians have extensive clinical experience.
Although the iTind procedure itself does not take a long time, patients should not immediately return to their normal daily routine after treatment. Instead, a period of observation is recommended. Depending on the patient’s condition, monitoring for several hours to up to one day may be advised in order to assess pain levels and urinary function. Hospitals equipped with inpatient facilities and structured postoperative care systems can therefore provide a safer recovery environment.
Dr. Na Joon-chae of the Jamsil branch of Goldman Urology Clinic explained that the iTind procedure offers a meaningful new treatment opportunity for patients with BPH. However, he emphasized that choosing the right hospital is even more important than the procedure itself. According to Dr. Na, safe and satisfactory results can only be expected when the hospital provides comprehensive care, including appropriate anesthesia and pain management, accurate imaging equipment, careful patient selection, structured postoperative care, and physicians with sufficient clinical experience.