Many patients who have taken medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for years experience significant stress as their urinary stream weakens and the sensation of residual urine worsens. Since medication often has its limits, many eventually consider surgical options. However, traditional surgeries that resect prostate tissue involve burdens regarding anesthesia, bleeding, and recovery time.
As an alternative, the iTIND procedure is being considered. iTIND involves inserting a nitinol stent into the prostate for one week to widen the urethra. It is gaining attention as an intermediate-stage treatment between medication and surgery because it can improve urinary flow without cutting away tissue. However, an important point is that this procedure is not as simple as it appears. Actual results can vary greatly depending on the patient's condition, the medical team's experience, and the choice of hospital.
The first thing patients ask during consultations is the method of anesthesia. Since iTIND is known as a 'minimally invasive surgery' that does not involve large incisions, it is easy to think that anesthesia will also be simple. However, in reality, local anesthesia alone often does not provide sufficient pain control. Therefore, methods such as spinal or caudal anesthesia are necessary, and pain management must be systematically implemented in preparation for discomfort that may follow for several days after the procedure.
Furthermore, imaging equipment (C-arm) is required to confirm the position of the stent. If such equipment is not available, the stent may be inserted in an incorrect position, leading to complications such as urethral damage or bleeding.
iTIND is an option positioned between medication and surgery in BPH treatment, and good effects can be expected if candidates are well-selected. However, it is not a procedure applied uniformly to all patients; suitability must be confirmed by comprehensively evaluating prostate size, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak flow rate (Qmax), and the presence of bladder neck contracture. This screening process is more sophisticated in hospitals with medical teams that have abundant clinical experience.
Although the iTIND procedure itself does not take long, time is needed to observe the recovery process rather than returning to daily life immediately after it ends. Depending on the patient's condition, observation for a few hours to a day is recommended, during which time it is important to check for pain or urinary status. Therefore, in a hospital equipped with inpatient rooms and a follow-up management system, patients can recover more safely.
Director Jun-chae Na of Goldman Urology (Jamsil branch) advised, "iTIND is a meaningful treatment method that gives new opportunities to BPH patients, but what is more important than the procedure itself is the choice of hospital. You can expect safe and satisfying results only when you receive it at a facility that possesses everything from anesthesia and pain management, accurate equipment, patient screening ability, follow-up care, to the medical team's experience."