iTind for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia

The technology described in this briefing is iTind. It is designed to treat people with lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The innovative aspects are that it is a minimally invasive surgical treatment that does not involve a permanent implant, heating or removal of prostate tissue.

The intended place in therapy would be as an alternative to surgical treatments including transurethral resection of the prostate or as an alternative to other minimally invasive surgical treatments.

The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 3 studies (1 randomised controlled trial and 2 single arm studies) including a total of 326 people. The evidence suggests that iTind improves symptoms and quality of life and is associated with expected, short-term, mild, transient and self-resolving complications.

Key uncertainties around the evidence are that the comparative study is sham controlled, there is limited UK NHS evidence, and there is a lack of comparative evidence compared with standard care in NHS pathways.

Experts advised that the device is innovative and likely to produce patient and system benefits, but that it is unlikely to replace standard care. They also noted a need for long-term comparative evidence of any need for reintervention.

The cost of iTind is about £1,208 per unit including the Foley catheter (excluding VAT). The cost of standard care (consumables only) is between £52 and £189 for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), £1,320 for UroLift, £1,384 for Rezum, £550 for Greenlight and £97 for holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP; excluding VAT).