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Official Description

Closure of enterovesical fistula; with intestine and/or bladder resection

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An enterovesical fistula is defined as an abnormal connection that forms between a segment of the intestine and the urinary bladder. This condition can arise due to various underlying issues, with diverticular disease of the colon being the most prevalent cause. Other significant contributors include colon cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease, complications resulting from radiation therapy, or trauma to the abdominal area. The surgical procedure associated with CPT® Code 44661 involves a comprehensive approach to address this abnormal communication. During the operation, the abdomen is surgically opened to locate the fistulous tract. Once identified, the tract is carefully divided, allowing for the separation of the bowel and bladder. A thorough examination of the tract is conducted to assess whether the affected bowel and bladder can be repaired through primary closure or if resection is necessary. In cases where resection is indicated, the fistulous tract is severed, and the bowel is clamped above and below the affected area. The segment containing the fistulous tract is then removed, followed by an end-to-end anastomosis to rejoin the bowel. If bladder resection is required, the fistulous tract is excised along with a portion of the bladder wall, which is subsequently reapproximated with sutures. Additionally, to mitigate the risk of recurrence, a separately reportable omental flap may be created and positioned between the bowel and bladder. The procedure concludes with the placement of drains in the abdominal cavity and the closure of the abdominal incision.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 44661 is indicated for the treatment of an enterovesical fistula, which may arise from various underlying conditions. The specific indications for performing this surgical intervention include:

  • Diverticular Disease of the Colon - A common cause of enterovesical fistula, where diverticula form in the colon and create an abnormal connection with the bladder.
  • Colon Cancer - Malignancies in the colon can lead to the formation of fistulas as a complication of the disease.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - Conditions such as Crohn's disease can result in inflammation and subsequent fistula formation between the intestine and bladder.
  • Complications of Radiation Therapy - Patients who have undergone radiation treatment for pelvic cancers may develop fistulas as a side effect.
  • Trauma - Physical injury to the abdomen can lead to the development of an enterovesical fistula.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 44661 involves several critical steps to effectively address the enterovesical fistula. The following procedural steps are performed:

  • Step 1: Abdominal Opening - The procedure begins with a surgical incision in the abdomen to gain access to the affected area. This allows the surgeon to visualize and locate the fistulous tract between the intestine and the bladder.
  • Step 2: Identification and Division of the Fistulous Tract - Once the fistulous tract is located, it is carefully divided to separate the bowel from the bladder. This step is crucial for assessing the extent of the damage and determining the appropriate course of action.
  • Step 3: Examination of the Tract - The surgeon examines the fistulous tract to evaluate whether the bowel and bladder can be repaired through primary closure or if resection is necessary. This assessment is vital for planning the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 4: Resection of the Affected Bowel Segment - If resection is required, the bowel is clamped above and below the fistulous tract. The segment containing the fistulous tract is then transected and removed from the body.
  • Step 5: Anastomosis of the Bowel - After resection, an end-to-end anastomosis is performed to rejoin the healthy segments of the bowel, ensuring continuity of the intestinal tract.
  • Step 6: Resection of the Bladder (if necessary) - If the bladder requires resection, the fistulous tract is excised along with a portion of the surrounding bladder wall. The remaining bladder tissue is then reapproximated using sutures to restore bladder integrity.
  • Step 7: Omental Flap Creation - To prevent recurrence of the fistula, a separately reportable omental flap may be developed and placed between the bowel and bladder, providing a protective barrier.
  • Step 8: Drain Placement and Closure - Finally, drains are placed in the abdominal cavity to facilitate fluid drainage, and the abdominal incision is closed securely.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the closure of an enterovesical fistula involves monitoring for complications and ensuring proper recovery. Patients may require hospitalization for observation and management of any potential issues such as infection or leakage from the surgical site. Pain management is typically provided, and patients are advised on dietary modifications during the initial recovery phase. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and to ensure that the fistula has not recurred. The surgical team will provide specific instructions regarding activity restrictions and signs of complications that should prompt immediate medical attention.

Short Descr REPAIR BOWEL-BLADDER FISTULA
Medium Descr CLSR ENTEROVES FSTL W/INTESTINE&/BLADDER RESCJ
Long Descr Closure of enterovesical fistula; with intestine and/or bladder resection
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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 75 - Small bowel resection
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GJ "opt out" physician or practitioner emergency or urgent service
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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