Novel Sling System Treats Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

A retropubic sling system enhances features of current transvaginal retropubic systems by allowing fine-tuned adjustments, better meeting the needs of physicians.

The RetroArc Retropubic Sling System for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is designed to treat women with SUI due to urethral hypermobility and/or intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Main features of the system include two 4-mm diameter delivery atraumatic needles designed to achieve optimal strength, trajectory, and passage through the tissue, while still providing the strength to resist deflection and flexing during needle passage. The 110° needle curvature is intended to provide the familiar needle trajectory that follows the back of the pubic bone.


The atraumatic conical tips also provide controlled, smooth needle passage and gentle tissue separation. The system makes use of a patented adjustment suture that allows for intraoperative adjustment without suburethral distortion of the knitted, type 1 polypropylene sling, promoting fibrous tissue integration and healing. An ergonomic, quick-release handle provides consistent mesh placement and a one-step disengagement from the needle intraoperatively. The RetroArc Retropubic Sling System is a product of American Medical Systems (AMS; Minneapolis, MN, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“At AMS, we are committed to providing world-class medical devices that improve patients' quality of life,” said Camille Farhat, president of AMS. “The RetroArc Retropubic Sling System is another example of how AMS innovates to provide world-class medical devices for patients around the world. We support our products with robust physician training and we encourage physician-patient conversations on the risks and benefits of these therapies.”

“I found the RetroArc Retropubic Sling System to be easy to use,” said Neeraj Kohli, MD, of Newton Wellesley Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA, USA) who performed the first US implant of the sling. “It combines all the positive features of retropubic sling systems into one well-designed solution. I look forward to using the RetroArc System with more of my patients who suffer from female stress urinary incontinence.”

SUI is the loss of bladder control or involuntary loss of urine when coughing, laughing, sneezing, or during heavy lifting, or simply getting up from a chair. It is the most common type of incontinence suffered by women, especially older women. In addition, women who have given birth are more likely to have SUI. Causes include weak pelvic muscles or a weak sphincter muscle. Chronic coughing, smoking, and obesity may also lead to SUI.

Related Links:
American Medical Systems
AMS RetroArc Retropubic Sling System