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Official Description

Excision of presacral or sacrococcygeal tumor

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Tumors that develop in the presacral space or the sacrococcygeal region are considered rare occurrences in medical practice. The presacral space is located in the lower part of the abdomen, situated behind the rectum and above the sacrum, while the sacrococcygeal region pertains to the area at the base of the spine, where the sacrum meets the coccyx. The excision of these tumors, coded as CPT® 49215, involves a surgical procedure that requires careful planning and execution due to the anatomical complexities and the potential involvement of surrounding structures. During the procedure, an incision is made in the abdomen, allowing the surgeon to access the posterior peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity. Once the posterior peritoneum is incised, the tumor becomes visible, and critical structures such as the ureters must be identified and safeguarded to prevent injury. The mobilization of the tumor may necessitate the ligation and division of blood vessels that supply the sacral area, ensuring that the tumor can be safely dissected away from the rectum and removed entirely. After the tumor is excised, the peritoneum is closed, and if necessary, drains may be placed in the presacral or sacrococcygeal area to facilitate fluid drainage. Finally, the abdominal incision is meticulously closed in layers to promote optimal healing and recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The excision of presacral or sacrococcygeal tumors is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Presacral Tumors Tumors that arise in the presacral space, which may cause symptoms such as pain, discomfort, or obstruction.
  • Sacrococcygeal Tumors Tumors located in the sacrococcygeal region that may present with similar symptoms or may be discovered incidentally during imaging studies.
  • Malignant Tumors The presence of malignant tumors necessitating surgical intervention to remove cancerous growths and prevent metastasis.
  • Benign Tumors Benign tumors that may cause significant symptoms or complications, warranting surgical excision for symptomatic relief.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excising a presacral or sacrococcygeal tumor involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision The surgical process begins with an incision made in the abdomen, which provides access to the underlying structures. This incision is carefully planned to minimize trauma to surrounding tissues and facilitate optimal exposure of the surgical site.
  • Step 2: Dissection Following the incision, dissection is performed to reach the posterior peritoneum. This step requires meticulous attention to detail to avoid damaging adjacent organs and structures.
  • Step 3: Incision of the Posterior Peritoneum Once the posterior peritoneum is accessed, it is incised to expose the tumor located in the presacral or sacrococcygeal region. This exposure is crucial for the subsequent steps of tumor mobilization and removal.
  • Step 4: Identification and Protection of Ureters During the procedure, the ureters, which are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, are identified and carefully protected to prevent any injury during the excision.
  • Step 5: Tumor Mobilization The tumor is then mobilized, which may involve the ligation and division of sacral blood vessels that supply the area. This step is essential to ensure that the tumor can be safely dissected away from the rectum.
  • Step 6: Tumor Dissection and Removal The tumor is meticulously dissected free from the rectum and removed from the body. This step requires precision to ensure complete excision and to minimize the risk of recurrence.
  • Step 7: Closure of the Peritoneum After the tumor has been successfully removed, the posterior peritoneum is closed to restore the integrity of the abdominal cavity.
  • Step 8: Placement of Drains If necessary, drains may be placed in the presacral space or sacrococcygeal area to facilitate the drainage of any fluid that may accumulate postoperatively.
  • Step 9: Closure of the Abdominal Incision Finally, the abdominal incision is closed in layers, ensuring that the surgical site is properly secured and promoting optimal healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the excision of a presacral or sacrococcygeal tumor involves monitoring for any complications, managing pain, and ensuring proper healing of the surgical site. Patients may require follow-up visits to assess recovery and to check for any signs of recurrence. If drains were placed, they will need to be monitored and managed appropriately until they are removed. Patients are typically advised on activity restrictions and signs of potential complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding, that should prompt immediate medical attention. The overall recovery process may vary depending on the extent of the surgery and the individual patient's health status.

Short Descr EXCISE SACRAL SPINE TUMOR
Medium Descr EXC PRESAC/SACROCOCCYGEAL TUMOR
Long Descr Excision of presacral or sacrococcygeal tumor
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 99 - Other OR gastrointestinal therapeutic procedures
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).
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.
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.
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.
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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