Monarc and MiniArc relief from stress urinary incontinence
Monarc and MiniArc urethral slings
MiniArc single-incision sling
What can I expect after my Monarc or MiniArc procedure?
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stress urinary incontinence solution
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Are you finally ready to say, “Enough!” to pads and liners? Have you reached your limit of unexpected and embarrassing loss of bladder control? If you suffer from stress urinary incontinence (or SUI), effective, minimally invasive treatment options are out there. Today is the day to restore your bladder control.



What is stress urinary incontinence?

American Medical Systems (AMS) is one of the leaders in providing women with relief from stress urinary incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence occurs when pelvic muscles and tissues are weakened. This can happen through pregnancy and childbirth, hysterectomy or other previous surgeries, aging, and other medical conditions. This loss of support means the urethra may relax from its normal position and not close completely. The result is that urine escapes whenever pressure is placed on the bladder.

Your Body Before Incontinence
Your Body Before Incontinence

Your Body With Incontinence
Your Body With Incontinence

Traditionally, surgical treatment involved long hospital stays and extended recovery times. Advances from AMS can now deliver minimally invasive solutions that are often performed on an outpatient basis. The Monarc® and MiniArc™ sling systems provide needed support to the urethra, potentially alleviating stress urinary incontinence. With continence restored, you can get back to the activities you enjoy.

The promising news about Monarc and MiniArc

Clinical studies show that women are finding relief from their urinary incontinence symptoms, thanks to MiniArc and Monarc urethral slings. In fact, studies indicate that these AMS treatment options are over 90% effective in treating urinary incontinence.*

These treatment options offer a number of important benefits:

  • They’re appropriate for most women suffering from stress urinary incontinence
  • Many women regain bladder control within hours of their procedure, and resume normal, non-strenuous activities shortly after the procedure
  • They are minimally invasive surgical procedures that can be performed under local, general or regional anethesia
  • Incisions are small, reducing pain and recovery time
  • The procedures can be performed in women who have scarring from previous pelvic surgeries

Monarc: Proven, effective relief for stress urinary incontinence

The Monarc Subfascial Hammock involves placing a narrow strip of mesh inside the pelvic region of a woman’s body, and drawing it up to create a hammock that cradles the urethra. By providing needed support, the AMS Monarc sling cradles the urethra in a position that mimics your normal anatomy. This additional support helps prevent accidental urine leakage.

The approach used with Monarc is a simple approach with fewer potential anatomic hazzards than other approaches, including the potential for bladder perforation.

For more information about the Monarc sling procedure, click here.

MiniArc: A simple solution to a common problem

The MiniArc Single-Incision sling system is the next generation of sling solutions from AMS. MiniArc is a minimally invasive procedure to restore bladder control. Unlike other procedures, MiniArc requires just one incision to surgically place the sling under the urethra, giving it more support and minimizing accidental bladder leakage.

The MiniArc sling uses a small, narrow strip of mesh—the same material used in over 400,000 AMS sling procedures*—MiniArc uses the same proven approach as Monarc.

For more information about the MiniArc Single-Incision Sling System, click here.

What can I expect after my Monarc or MiniArc procedure?

Most women see results and regain bladder control immediately following their procedure. Because it may be performed on an outpatient basis, you can usually expect to return home a few hours after surgery. You will also find that:

  • After your procedure, your doctor may insert a catheter to drain urine from your bladder temporarily. In most cases, the catheter is removed before you leave the hospital. However, if you are unable to empty your bladder on your own, the catheter may remain in place until you’re able to do so.
  • Although many women have little or no pain after the procedure, your doctor may prescribe pain medication for you if needed. In addition, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
  • Monarc and MiniArc are designed to reduce recovery time. While you should avoid sexual intercourse, heavy lifting, and exercise for approximately four to six weeks following your procedure, you can often return to other normal, non-strenuous activities in a short time.

Your doctor will provide you with additional information on how to care for yourself after surgery.

What risks should I be aware of if I choose to have a Monarc or MiniArc procedure?

Before you schedule your procedure, speak with your doctor and make sure you fully understand the benefits and risks of Monarc and MiniArc procedures. Sling procedures require surgery and are not recommended for everyone. You should know:

  • Inflammation and irritation may occur after surgery
  • Although rare, some of the most severe risks associated with sling procedures are infection, erosion, and vessel or urethra perforation
  • Some of the most common risks include urinary tract infections, urge symptoms, and difficulty with urination
  • Future pregnancies may cause you to become incontinent again

Monarc and MiniArc are effective solutions—but they’re not right for every woman

Implanting a sling is minimally invasive—but it is a surgical procedure, and is therefore not recommended for everyone. Monarc and MiniArc are not appropriate for women who:

  • Are pregnant or are planning future pregnancies
  • Have blood coagulation disorders
  • Have compromised immune systems
  • Have untreated vaginal or urinary tract infections
  • Have a history of synthetic graft rejection

Insurance Coverage

Monarc/MiniArc procedures are cleared by the FDA, and are covered by Medicare and most private insurance carriers.

For more information, click here.

Find a specialist and learn how MiniArc or Monarc mid-urethral slings can quickly put you back in control of your bladder.

©2008 American Medical Systems. All rights reserved.

600190-03A (3/08)

*Data on file at AMS.



Take Control in one outpatient procedure

American Medical Systems (AMS) provides urethral support slings to treat stress urinary incontinence. AMS has treated more than 400,000 women.* Are you ready for a new start?

While both Monarc® and MiniArc™ can put you back in control of your bladder, their slight variations reflect the fact that not all women are alike. It’s important to speak with a specialist who’s familiar with these treatment options, to determine which one is right for you.

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