The innovative procedure was performed by urologist Dr. Christopher Hollowell
November 18, 2021 – Northwest Medical Center is proud to announce it is the first hospital in Florida to offer a procedure which uses new a temporarily implanted device – the iTind, developed by Olympus Medical Systems – to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The first three cases in the State of Florida were performed late September at Northwest Medical Center by urologist Dr. Christopher Hollowell.
The iTind is a temporarily implanted nitinol device which is inserted into the prostate during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure to relieve symptoms of BPH. Once implanted, the device expands and applies pressure on the prostatic tissue to reshape the tissue of the urethra and bladder neck, and create channels through which retained urine can flow. Following surgery, the patient may return home for five to seven days, after which the device is removed.
“This procedure is game-changing for patients who are living with the chronic and disruptive symptoms of BPH,” said Dr. Christopher Hollowell, urologist and the first surgeon in Florida to perform the procedure. “It is a relatively simple and minimally-invasive approach that can provide significant relief for a complex condition that many men have or will likely have later in life. I’m proud to be able to offer it to my patients and to have performed the first of many of these procedures at Northwest Medical Center.”
BPH is a condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged, causing the gland to put pressure on the urethra. This pressure can lead to obstruction of the urethra and weakening of the bladder. According to the National Institutes for Health, BPH is the most common prostate problem for men older than age 50, affecting about 50 percent of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90 percent of men older than 80.
Patients may consider this new surgical option if they have struggled with symptoms including urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary retention, urinary incontinence, or pain during urination, and are seeking alternatives to medication, permanently implanted devices or more invasive surgery.
“We are excited to now offer this new, innovative procedure at Northwest and to be the first hospital in the State of Florida to do so,” said Kenneth Jones, chief executive officer at Northwest Medical Center. “This is an important opportunity to expand our minimally invasive surgery capabilities while providing patients additional options to improve their health and quality of life.”
To learn more about urologic surgery at Northwest Medical Center or to find a doctor, visit northwestmed.com/specialties/urology.
About Northwest Medical Center
Northwest Medical Center, an award-winning 289-bed hospital, has faithfully served communities across northern Broward County, South Florida and beyond for more than 30 years. As the only designated ‘Hospital of the Future’ in South Florida, we provide award-winning care using the latest state-of-the-art advancements in medical technology with a focus on excellence in patient safety and care experience. A Joint Commission-accredited hospital and primary stroke center, Northwest Medical Center is best known for its Heart and Vascular Institute; Comprehensive Bariatric Center of Excellence; dedicated Women’s Hospital with maternity services and the only Level III NICU in northern Broward County; 24/7 emergency medicine; minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery; orthopedic, spine and neurological care, and more. Northwest Medical Center is training the next generation of physicians as a teaching hospital with a growing Graduate Medical Education (GME) program with specialized programs in internal medicine, podiatry, general surgery, anesthesia and pathology.
Northwest Medical Center is an affiliate hospital of HCA East Florida. HCA East Florida is the largest healthcare system in Eastern Florida and an affiliate of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). HCA East Florida has 14 hospitals, multiple ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, and free standing emergency care facilities, as well as a supply chain center and an integrated regional lab. Together, HCA East Florida employs more than 18,000 employees and has nearly 7,000 physicians on staff. For more information, visit HCAEastFlorida.com.
HCA EAST FLORIDA
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center + Highlands Regional Medical Center + JFK Medical Center + JFK Medical Center North Campus + Kendall Regional Medical Center + Lawnwood Regional Medical Center + Mercy Hospital + Northwest Medical Center + Palms West Hospital + Plantation General Hospital + Raulerson Hospital + St. Lucie Medical Center + University Hospital and Medical Center + Westside Regional Medical Center
