iTind vs the Urolift?

Considering a safe, non-invasive, in-office procedure like the Urolift to treat BPH (enlarged prostate) and improve the quality of your urination? The Itind device is new to the US market and offers the same type of relief that the urolift offers but without leaving any “permanent” clips in place.

I explain to my patients that the iTind is like a stent that some people will get when they have blocked arteries, except after the stent does its job in opening the arteries, the iTind device is removed and you are left with an open area that will increase the quality of your urination.

Whereas Urolift uses clips made of titanium to open up the prostate, the iTind device uses an expandable thin wire that is placed into the prostate that places strategic pressure points to open up the areas where you urinate. Over a few days, the prostate is ‘reshaped’ in a manner that allows for stronger, better urinary flow. The iTind device stays in place for a week and will be removed in a clinical environment with a significantly opened prostatic urethra.

The iTind device has been used overseas for years and clinical data states that the procedure is effective for at least three years.

In summary, iTind will be placed under a brief anesthetic setting and removed after a week in the office. While you have the device in place you will have a string (so that we can safely remove the device) that you will urinate around. Urolift is placed in office using clips to hold the prostate open and clinical data shows that it is effective for up to 5 years. Neither require a catheter 90% of the time. Minimal discomfort is reported for both but we do offer comfort medications to help whenever needed.

The biggest benefit is that most individuals should be able to get off medical therapy for several years, with no change in sexual function, or other side effects.