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Official Description

Sling operation for stress incontinence (eg, fascia or synthetic)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A sling operation for stress incontinence is a surgical procedure designed to provide support to the urethra and bladder neck, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with stress urinary incontinence. This condition occurs when physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, or exercise lead to involuntary leakage of urine. The procedure can utilize either a fascial autograft, which is a strip of tissue taken from the patient's own abdominal fascia, or a synthetic material designed to mimic the support provided by natural tissue. The surgical approach involves making incisions in the lower abdomen and vaginal wall to access the necessary anatomical structures. By creating small tunnels on either side of the urethra, the surgeon can position the sling beneath the urethra and around the bladder neck, effectively providing the required support. The ends of the sling are then secured to the pelvic fascia or abdominal wall, ensuring stability and reducing the likelihood of urinary leakage during physical activities. This operation is typically indicated for patients who have not found relief from conservative treatments for stress incontinence.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The sling operation for stress incontinence is indicated for patients experiencing involuntary leakage of urine during physical activities, which is characteristic of stress urinary incontinence. This condition may arise from various factors, including weakened pelvic floor muscles, previous pelvic surgeries, childbirth, or hormonal changes associated with menopause. The procedure is typically considered when conservative treatment options, such as pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle modifications, or medications, have not provided sufficient relief from symptoms.

  • Stress Urinary Incontinence Involuntary leakage of urine during activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, or exercise.
  • Weakened Pelvic Floor Muscles A condition that may result from childbirth, aging, or previous surgeries, leading to insufficient support for the bladder and urethra.
  • Failure of Conservative Treatments Patients who have not achieved satisfactory results from non-surgical interventions, including pelvic floor exercises and medications.

2. Procedure

The sling operation for stress incontinence involves several key procedural steps to ensure effective placement of the sling and optimal support for the urethra and bladder neck.

  • Step 1: Incision in the Lower Abdomen The procedure begins with the surgeon making an incision in the lower abdomen to access the abdominal fascia. If a fascial autograft is being utilized, a strip of this fascia is carefully removed to be used as the sling material.
  • Step 2: Incision in the Vaginal Wall A second incision is made in the vaginal wall, located just below the urethra. This incision allows for the creation of tunnels necessary for sling placement.
  • Step 3: Creation of Tunnels Two small tunnels are created on either side of the urethra, extending into the space beneath the pubic bone. These tunnels facilitate the passage of the sling material.
  • Step 4: Placement of the Sling The fascial or synthetic sling is then positioned under the urethra and around the bladder neck. This placement is crucial for providing the necessary support to prevent involuntary leakage.
  • Step 5: Securing the Sling The ends of the sling are brought up through the previously created tunnels and are sutured to either the pelvic fascia or the abdominal wall, ensuring that the sling remains securely in place.
  • Step 6: Closure of Incisions Finally, the incisions made in both the abdomen and vaginal wall are closed, completing the surgical procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the sling operation, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Post-procedure care may include pain management, instructions for activity restrictions, and guidance on pelvic floor exercises to aid recovery. Patients are often advised to avoid heavy lifting and high-impact activities for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the success of the procedure and to address any concerns regarding urinary function or potential complications.

Short Descr REPAIR BLADDER DEFECT
Medium Descr SLING OPERATION STRESS INCONTINENCE
Long Descr Sling operation for stress incontinence (eg, fascia or synthetic)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 106 - Genitourinary incontinence procedures
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
99 Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service.
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2011-01-01 Changed Medium description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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