QUEEN Margaret Hospital has become the first in Scotland to introduce a pioneering new procedure used to treat an enlarged prostate.

This will involve implanting a device called iTind into the prostate for between five and seven days to help with lower urinary tract symptoms.

During this time the tech expands and applies gentle pressure while remodelling the tissue around the opening of the bladder to create a wider channel through which urine can flow.

After the process is finished, the iTind is completely removed.

An enlarged prostate is a common problem experienced by men over 50 and can cause those affected to urinate much more frequently, affecting sleep and overall quality of life.

The condition can also make it difficult to empty the bladder, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections.

Treatment routinely involves medication, though this is not always effective and in some cases can result in side effects.

Traditional surgical options are also available which can remove part of the prostate to improve urine flow out of the bladder, but these interventions are much more invasive, requiring a stay in hospital and can affect sexual function.

The new procedure can be carried out under local anaesthetic and typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete, offering rapid and effective symptom relief while preserving sexual function and urinary continence.

Patients can also be treated as day-cases and will be able to return home.

Mr Feras Al Jaafari, a consultant urological surgeon in NHS Fife, said: "The effects of an enlarged prostate can have a real impact on a person’s quality of life, affecting bladder function and disrupting sleep patterns.

"By implanting an iTind device for around a week, we can improve the flow of urine out of the bladder and reduce their chances of developing urinary tract infections.

"As the new procedure is significantly less invasive than traditional interventions for the condition, patients can receive the treatment and return home the same day.

"As the treatment can very often be carried out without the need general anaesthetic, it is also safer for patients."

During recent years, Queen Margaret Hospital has become a centre of excellence for urological surgery, offering a series of new and pioneering surgical innovations.

The successful adoption of iTind follows the use of the Urolift procedure in 2018 and Rezum in 2020, both of which were carried out at Queen Margaret Hospital ahead of anywhere else in Scotland.

NHS Fife Medical Director, Dr Christopher McKenna, said:"Queen Margaret Hospital hosts a Day Surgery facility, which is envy of other Boards in Scotland and a centre for ambulatory surgery excellence.

"Treatments are offered there which are not offered anywhere else in Fife and in the case of this ground-breaking treatment, not offered anywhere else in Scotland.

"Fife is fortunate to benefit from a highly innovative urology service at the forefront of urological surgical techniques and the adoption of iTIND gives further evidence to this.

"In addition to the clinical benefits this treatment offers patients, as the procedure can be carried out more quickly than conventional prostate surgery we should see a positive impact on our waiting times."