Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to a representative urological abnormality that commonly occurs in men as they age. It is characterized by the prostate gland becoming excessively enlarged and compressing the urethra, leading to voiding dysfunctions such as a weakened urinary stream (poor stream) and frequent urination (frequency).
If benign prostatic hyperplasia persists for a long time or becomes severe, residual urine in the bladder can lead to urinary tract infections and a decline in kidney function. In the past, the most commonly performed treatment for BPH was transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This method involves directly resecting the hypertrophied prostatic tissue using an endoscope, but the problem is that it can be accompanied by side effects related to sexual function, such as the possibility of bleeding, prolonged hospitalization, and retrograde ejaculation.
A new method that reduces these burdens is the iTind procedure. iTind is a minimally invasive treatment that utilizes 'Nitinol', a special alloy combining nickel and titanium. Nitinol is a shape-memory alloy that has the property of returning to its original form in response to body temperature. Most importantly, it acts gently within the human body with almost no rejection reactions.
The iTind device is inserted into the urethra in a folded state, and then, activated by body temperature, it expands and temporarily compresses the prostatic urethra and bladder neck in three directions. Through this process, the urethra is naturally widened over a period of 5 to 7 days. After the device is removed, the widened state of the urethra is maintained, allowing for an expected improvement in voiding dysfunction symptoms associated with BPH.
The biggest advantages of iTind include rapid recovery and minimized side effects. The procedure time is short, approximately 10 to 20 minutes, and in most cases, it can be performed with only spinal anesthesia or caudal anesthesia. As there is no burden of general anesthesia, it can be safely applied even to elderly patients. Furthermore, most patients do not need to use a urinary catheter and can be discharged on the same day, allowing for a quick return to daily life. Most importantly, a key strength is that side effects such as retrograde ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence have not been reported.
So, can all patients undergo the iTind procedure? Generally, iTind is suitable for patients whose prostate size is not excessively large, who have shown minimal response to medication, or who do not wish to undergo conventional surgery. Conversely, its effectiveness may be limited in cases where the prostate is excessively large and severely compresses the urethra, or in patients whose bladder function is already significantly impaired. Therefore, it is essential to consult with medical professionals to confirm if it is appropriate for one's specific health condition. As with all treatment methods, a personalized approach that considers the individual patient's condition, prostate size, and co-existing diseases is crucial.
Dr. Ryu Kyung-ho, Director of Goldman Urology Gangnam Branch, stated, "If your quality of life has been diminished due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, and you have postponed treatment due to fear of surgery, iTind could be the answer." He added, "However, the final decision must be made through thorough consultation with medical professionals. iTind is a treatment method that has proven its effectiveness and safety while significantly reducing the burden of surgery, thereby opening up a new path for many patients to overcome benign prostatic hyperplasia."