Skip to Content

Altis®
Single Incision Sling

A solution that treats SUI at the source

Jordan | Treated for SUI with the Altis Single Incision Sling

You may have experienced urine leakage for years. But did you know that there’s a lasting, effective solution for the source of your symptoms?

There’s a way to get you back out there – running, jumping, laughing, coughing, sneezing – and worrying less about leaks.

How Altis works 

During the procedure, your doctor will make one small incision (typically 0.6-0.8 of an inch) to place an Altis sling as a steady, even “backboard” of support for the urethra1 when there is stress on your bladder, such as when you cough, laugh or sneeze.2

Altis is a lasting solution, with minimal downtime, that can help relieve the added burden of constantly hiding your SUI symptoms and allow you to return to your activities faster.3

This procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting, under local anesthesia4 and the surgery takes around 30 minutes or less.1

Women receiving single incision slings reported lower post-op pain, earlier return to normal activities, and earlier return to work compared to those receiving traditional slings.5

Reduced procedure
and recovery time3

Less post-op pain
up to 14 days3

Lower rates of
post-op voiding
dysfunction3

Quicker return to
normal activities5

Dana | Treated for SUI with the Altis Single Incision Sling

Women experiencing SUI deserve a clinically proven, effective solution.

The Altis Single Incision Sling is a long-lasting treatment for SUI backed by clinical studies that prove a significant improvement to quality of life after 3 years.6

Women who’ve had the procedure have reported successful outcomes

92.9%

of women reported feeling
“very much better” or
“much better” at 3 years6

89.1%

of Altis patients were “very satisfied” or
“satisfied” and would recommend the surgery to someone else6

What to expect before, during and after surgery

Before surgery – Medical history

First, your doctor will collect and review your medical history and recent experiences. You will be asked to provide a list of all medications and supplements you take, and information about your urinary habits and normal fluid consumption. It’s important to accurately describe the leakage you are having, such as when and under what conditions leakage occurs.

Before surgery – Physical exam

Then, you’ll likely have a physical exam, which can include:

  • Cough stress test – you will cough and bear down with a full bladder to see if urine leaks
  • Urinalysis – testing of a urine sample
  • Pad test – from an absorbent pad that is worn, estimate how much you are leaking throughout the day to determine severity of your urinary incontinence from an absorbent pad that is worn, estimate how much you are leaking throughout the day to determine severity of your urinary incontinence
  • Post-void residual – measures the amount of urine left in your bladder after urinating
  • Cystoscopy – use of a scope (camera) to examine your bladder
  • Urodynamics – testing that measures amount of urine in the bladder before urinating and the force of the urine as it leaves

Based on the results of your physical exam, you and your doctor will discuss and decide the right solution for your specific needs.

During surgery

Midurethal slings are the most commonly performed SUI operation. The Altis Single Incision Sling can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, in around 30 minutes or less.

Slings are placed through a small incision in the vagina and placed under the urethra. Once placed, the sling provides consistent support and stability to the urethra, reducing the stress to your bladder and possible urine leaks.

After surgery and into recovery

Your doctor will provide information about your recovery plan. In general, following sling placement, your doctor may suggest you resume some activities after two weeks, while avoiding others like physical strain, sexual intercourse and heavy lifting for up to six weeks.

Contact your physician if you experience bleeding, pain, or any signs of infection.

FAQs

Urinary incontinence 101

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence happens when a person loses voluntary control over their urinary functions.

About 78 million

women in the U.S. suffer from urinary incontinence.

Are there different types of urine leakage?

The most common types are stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence.

  • Stress Urinary incontinence (SUI): Involuntary loss of urine when stress or pressure is placed on the bladder with activities such as running, sneezing, coughing, laughing, exercise or other physical activity, sex, or heavy lifting. Urine can leak without the urge to go to the bathroom. SUI does not have a connection to emotional stress.
  • Urge urinary incontinence (UUI): Involuntary leakage that occurs when there is a strong, urgent need to urinate even when the bladder isn’t full. OAB or Overactive Bladder is the urge to urinate whether or not you leak.
  • Mixed urinary incontinence (MUI): Combination of both stress and urge incontinence.
Learn more about the types of incontinence

What causes stress urinary incontinence?

SUI generally occurs when your pelvic muscles are not strong enough to keep the opening of the bladder neck closed when there’s pressure on your bladder. It can slowly develop as you age and may be the result of a specific event such as childbirth, or be a result of chronic smoking, constipation, obesity, aging, heavy lifting, or genetics.

SUI treatment options

What are my treatment options?

Treatment options for stress urinary incontinence range from the day-to-day management of symptoms to surgical treatments that provide a more long-term solution. Examples of non-surgical options include wearing pads or absorbent underwear, lifestyle changes, vaginal pessaries, or improving pelvic strength through muscle exercises.

Surgical treatments for SUI include a sling procedure and injectable bulking agents.

Can stress urinary incontinence be successfully treated?

Yes, SUI can be treated successfully.

Talk to your doctor to discuss what treatment might be right for you.

What kind of doctor should I talk to?

On average, women wait 6.5 years from the first time they experience symptoms until they obtain a diagnosis for their bladder control problem(s). That’s why finding the right physician to treat your SUI is a very important step in seeking treatment. It’s important that your doctor listens to you, advocates for your best interest, and provides the right path for your specific needs. Specialists that typically treat SUI are urogynecologists, urologists, and gynecologists.

Learn more about choosing the right SUI specialist

What is stress urinary incontinence surgery?

You may have heard about surgical procedures for addressing SUI.

  • Injectable bulking agents – Synthetic materials are injected into the tissue around the urethra to provide support and to tighten the opening of the bladder neck. It may take two to three or more injections to get the desired result. The injections may improve symptoms but usually do not result in a complete cure of incontinence.
  • Midurethral slings treat urinary incontinence by supporting the urethra to keep it in its correct position and preventing leaks during physical activity. Midurethral slings are the most commonly performed SUI operation. These procedures have been done for over 20 years with excellent results.

Are there different types of slings?

There are three types of slings available: retropubic, transobturator, and single incision slings.

For full-length slings (retropubic and transobturator slings), a small incision is made in the vagina and two small skin incisions are made near the pubic bone or in the groin area. The surgeon then places the sling under the urethra and pulls the ends of the sling through the skin incisions and adjusts them to be in the right position in the body.

For single incision slings, a single small incision typically 1-2cm is made beneath the urethra. The sling is then placed beneath the urethra to provide support to it when there is stress placed on the bladder.

A sling is chosen for treatment based on several factors, including the severity of incontinence and prior pelvic surgery, as well as patient and doctor preferences.

SUI surgical treatment outcomes and recovery

Will I be able to feel the sling?

It’s possible. Every person’s physician anatomy is different, so everyone experiences the sling differently.

Are there any risks?

Like any surgery, there are some risks related to the procedure. Talk to your doctor to discuss these risks in detail.

See important safety information and the following links for more information.

What is the recovery time?

Maybe you have been putting off a surgical option for treating your leaks because you can’t afford to be out of commission. Work needs you. Your family needs you.

Your doctor will provide you with information about your recovery. Generally, following your sling placement, expect to avoid physical strain, sexual intercourse, and heavy lifting for 6 weeks, but you’ll likely be able to resume other normal activities after 2 weeks.

SUI surgical treatment cost and coverage

What does this cost? Will my insurance cover stress incontinence surgery?

Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover these procedures.

Consult your insurance carrier to find out the specific criteria for coverage. The reimbursement specialist at your physician’s office may also be able to help you with this.

Not sure where to start?

Take our short, free, and confidential self-assessment.

Help is on the way.

Take the assessment

So, what’s the next step?

For more information about urinary incontinence, download the brochure

read more

Find a specialist near you

learn more

Important safety information

Altis® Single Incision Sling System
Important Safety Information

Stress urinary incontinence is a condition in which urine involuntarily leaks at times of increased pressure on the bladder (e.g., coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, exercise). Stress urinary incontinence can be treated with a surgical procedure in which a mesh sling is implanted to act as a “hammock” to support the urethra, the tube that connects to the bladder that carries urine outside the body. An incontinence sling surgery involves anesthesia and may require an overnight hospital stay.

The Altis Single Incision Sling System is indicated for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) resulting from the urethra not closing properly (urethral hypermobility) and/or weakness of the urethral sphincter (intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD)).

Your physician should advise that the Altis Single Incision Sling System is not for females who have the following: are pregnant or have desire for future pregnancy • potential for further growth (e.g., adolescents) • known active urinary tract infection and/or infection in operative field • taking blood thinning medication (anti-coagulant therapy) • abnormal urethra (e.g., fistula, diverticulum) • any condition, including known or suspected pelvic pathology, which could compromise implant or implant placement, and • sensitivity/allergy to polypropylene or polyurethane.

Discuss with your physician:

  • The reason for choosing a mesh sling including the warnings, precautions and risks associated with its use
  • Alternative incontinence treatments that may be appropriate
  • The Altis sling to be implanted is permanent
  • Serious mesh associated complications may result in one or more revision surgeries
  • Partial or complete removal of the mesh may not always be possible or advisable as it may not fully correct these complications
  • New onset (de novo) complications and recurring or worsening SUI can occur
  • There may be unresolved pain with or without mesh explant and varying degrees of scarring may occur
  • Certain underlying conditions may be more susceptible to postoperative bleeding, impaired blood supply, compromised/delayed healing, mesh sling exposure or other complications

Potential additional risks versus benefits of using Altis should be considered in patients with one or more of the following: age-related underlying conditions • autoimmune disease • coagulation disorder • connective tissue disorder • debilitated or immunocompromised state • diabetes • pelvic radiation therapy or chemotherapy • physical characteristics (e.g., body mass index) • renal insufficiency • smoking-related underlying conditions, or • urinary tract anomalies.

Any future pregnancy could negate the benefits of this surgical procedure. Patients should report bleeding, pain, abnormal vaginal discharge or signs of infection at any time.

Complications are known to occur and may be immediate or delayed, localized or systemic, new onset (de novo) or worsening, acute or chronic, transient or permanent, new onset (de novo) or continuing, worsening, transient, or permanent.

Potential complications may include but are not limited to:

  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Abscess
  • Adhesion
  • Allergic reaction, hypersensitivity, or abnormal (maladaptive) immune response
  • Bladder symptoms (e.g., increased daytime frequency, urgency, nocturia (urinating more than once per night), overactive bladder, urinary incontinence)
  • Bleeding/hemorrhage or hematoma
  • Delayed/impaired/abnormal wound healing
  • Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
  • Exposure, extrusion or erosion of mesh sling or suture into the vagina or other structures and organs
  • Fistula formation (abnormal connection or passageway that forms between two structures in the body)
  • Granuloma (small area of inflammation)/scar tissue formation
  • Hispareunia (male partner pain with intercourse)
  • Infection
  • Inflammation/irritation
  • Necrosis (tissue death)
  • Neuromuscular disorder
  • Pain
  • Palpable mesh (able to be felt by patient and/or partner)
  • Pelvic/urogenital pain
  • Perforation or injury to adjacent muscles, nerves, vessels, structures, or organs (e.g., bone, bladder, urethra, ureters, bowel, vagina)
  • Scarring
  • Seroma (fluid buildup at site of surgery)
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Sling migration (movement)
  • Suture exposure
  • Ureteral obstruction
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Vaginal tightening/shortening
  • Voiding symptoms (e.g., dysuria (painful urination), urinary retention, incomplete emptying, bladder outlet obstruction, straining, position-dependent voiding, slow stream)
  • Wound dehiscence (re-opening of surgical incision)

This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Discuss the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits of the various options to determine if a mesh sling is right for you.

Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Minneapolis, MN
PM-03328 03/2026

References:

    1. Coloplast data on file.
    2. Trowbridge ER, Hoover EF. Evaluation and Treatment of Urinary Incontinence in Women. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2022;51(1):157-175. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2021.10.010.
    3. Abdel-Fattah M, Cooper D, Davidson T, Kilonzo M, Hossain M, Boyers D, Bhal K, Wardle J, N’Dow J, MacLennan G, Norrie J. Single-Incision Mini-Slings for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women. N Engl J Med. 2022 Mar 31;386(13):1230-1243.
    4. Altis Instructions for Use.
    5. Mostafa A, Lim CP, Hopper L, Madhuvrata P, Abdel-Fattah M. Single-incision mini-slings versus standard midurethral slings in surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and complications. Eur Urol. 2014;65(2):402-427.
    6. Erickson T, Gheiler E, Hanson C, McCrery R, Parekh M, Parva M, Tu LM. Patient Satisfaction and QoL in SUI: Results With Single-Incision or Full-Length Slings. Urogynecology. Published online October 18, 2024.

PM-25684