iTind is a temporary implantable nitinol device designed to improve urinary symptoms from benign prostate enlargement without leaving a permanent implant or removing prostate tissue. The device is placed through the urethra, expands within the prostatic channel and applies pressure at selected points for about five days. It is then removed. The pressure creates longitudinal channels that can improve urine flow. Early studies show symptom improvement with a low rate of sexual side effects, but the evidence base and long-term comparative data are smaller than for TURP, HoLEP, Rezūm or UroLift, so careful counselling is important.

What is iTind?

iTind is made of nitinol, a shape-memory alloy. When deployed in the prostatic urethra, its struts press against the bladder neck and prostate tissue. This pressure produces local ischaemia and remodelling, creating channels that remain after the device is removed.

The device is temporary: unlike UroLift, it is not intended to stay in the prostate.

Who may be suitable?

The procedure should be chosen after confirming that the symptoms are genuinely related to benign prostate obstruction rather than infection, urethral narrowing, bladder disease or a weak bladder alone.

• Men with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms who want a minimally invasive, ejaculation-preserving option.
• A smaller-to-moderate prostate within the range studied for temporary implantable devices, without an obstructive median lobe. Current evidence is less mature than for TURP, HoLEP, Aquablation or UroLift, and the 2026 EAU guideline continues to classify iTind as a non-ablative technique under investigation.
• Patients who can tolerate a temporary device in the prostatic urethra for several days.
• Men who accept that long-term comparative evidence is still developing.
• No strong indication for a more definitive tissue-removing procedure.

When may another treatment be better?

• An obstructive median lobe or anatomy unsuitable for correct device seating.
• Very large prostate or severe fixed obstruction.
• Recurrent retention, bladder stones, hydronephrosis or renal impairment where durable de-obstruction is the priority.
• Active urinary infection.
• A patient who wants the treatment with the longest-established durability and lowest retreatment uncertainty.

How is the procedure done?

The folded device is inserted cystoscopically and opened within the bladder before being positioned in the prostatic urethra. Its struts apply radial pressure to the obstructing tissue. The device remains in place for several days, typically around five days, and is then removed through the urethra in an outpatient or day-care setting.

There is no external incision and no permanent implant is intended to remain behind.

Anaesthesia and hospital stay

Insertion is commonly performed with local anaesthesia, light sedation or a short anaesthetic. Removal is usually a brief outpatient or day-care procedure.

Will I need a catheter?

A separate bladder catheter is not routinely required in every patient, but urinary retention can occur. The iTind device itself remains within the prostatic urethra for several days before planned removal.

Potential benefits

• Temporary rather than permanent implant.
• No cutting, resection or thermal ablation of prostate tissue.
• Usually day-care treatment.
• Low reported rate of new erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction.

Important limitations

• Evidence is smaller and less mature than for established operations.
• Direct randomised comparisons with reference surgery remain limited.
• The device must be tolerated for several days and then removed.
• Not appropriate for every median-lobe or prostate-size configuration.

Where iTind sits in current evidence

iTind has randomised sham-controlled evidence showing symptom and flow improvement, but the evidence base is still much smaller than for TURP, HoLEP and other established operations. The 2026 EAU guideline lists iTind among non-ablative techniques under investigation and notes that randomised comparisons with a reference operation are still needed.

iTind can improve symptoms in selected men, but its comparative and long-term evidence is less mature than that of established reference operations. The decision is therefore a trade-off between a temporary, non-ablative treatment with a favourable sexual-function profile and greater uncertainty about durability and de-obstructive strength.

Recovery after treatment

Urgency, burning, pelvic discomfort and a sensation of a foreign body can occur while the device is in place. These symptoms usually improve after removal. Mild blood in the urine can occur.

Urinary improvement develops after the channels remodel. Patients should follow the treating centre’s instructions about activity while the device is in position and after removal.

Erections and ejaculation

Published iTind studies have reported little new erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction. This makes the device attractive for men who prioritise sexual-function preservation, but the amount of long-term evidence is smaller than for some other therapies.

Risks and side effects

• Temporary pelvic discomfort, urgency, burning or blood in the urine.
• Urinary infection.
• Temporary urinary retention.
• Device displacement or intolerance.
• Need for early removal in an uncommon situation.
• Insufficient symptom relief or later medical/surgical retreatment.

What to bring for consultation

• Ultrasound report showing prostate volume and post-void residual urine.
• Uroflowmetry result if available.
• Urine routine/culture and serum creatinine.
• PSA report when it has been advised as part of your prostate assessment.
• A list of prostate medicines, blood thinners and other regular medicines.
• Records of previous retention, catheterisation or prostate/urethral procedures.

FAQs

Related reading

• UroLift for Enlarged Prostate
• Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy for Enlarged Prostate
• Which Prostate Treatments Can Preserve Ejaculation?
• Minimally Invasive Treatments for Enlarged Prostate
• Urologist in Latur

References

• European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on the Management of Non-neurogenic Male LUTS: Disease Management, 2026 https://uroweb.org/guidelines/management-of-non-neurogenic-male-luts/chapter/disease-management
• American Urological Association. Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Guideline https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/bph-guideline
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. iTind for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (MIB306) https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/mib306
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Prostatic urethral temporary implant insertion for LUTS caused by BPH (IPG737) https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg737