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Official Description

Pyeloplasty (Foley Y-pyeloplasty), plastic operation on renal pelvis, with or without plastic operation on ureter, nephropexy, nephrostomy, pyelostomy, or ureteral splinting; simple

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at reconstructing the renal pelvis, which is the area of the kidney where urine collects before it moves to the ureter. This operation is typically performed to address congenital conditions, particularly when there is a high insertion of the ureter into the renal pelvis that leads to obstruction. The Foley Y-pyeloplasty technique is one of the most commonly utilized methods for this type of surgery. During the procedure, a skin incision is made over the kidney to access the renal pelvis. The surgeon carefully incises Gerota's fascia and dissects the perirenal fat to expose the kidney and ureter. This exposure allows for a thorough examination of the renal structures, particularly in cases where the renal pelvis is significantly dilated due to upper urinary tract obstruction. The procedure involves creating a Y-shaped incision in the renal pelvis, which facilitates the reconstruction and proper alignment of the ureter. Additional steps may include the placement of nephrostomy or pyelostomy tubes, or ureteral stenting to ensure the ureter maintains its diameter during the healing process. The operation concludes with the anastomosis of the ureter to the renal pelvis and the closure of the surgical site, ensuring that any necessary drains are in place to aid recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of pyeloplasty is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Congenital High Insertion of the Ureter - This condition involves the ureter being inserted too high into the renal pelvis, which can lead to obstruction and subsequent kidney damage.
  • Obstruction of the Renal Pelvis - Pyeloplasty is performed to relieve obstruction in the renal pelvis that can cause hydronephrosis, a condition characterized by the swelling of the kidney due to the buildup of urine.

2. Procedure

The pyeloplasty procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful reconstruction of the renal pelvis:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure - A skin incision is made over the kidney to gain access to the renal pelvis. The surgeon incises Gerota's fascia and dissects the perirenal fat to expose the kidney and ureter adequately.
  • Step 2: Identification of Blood Vessels - Once the kidney and ureter are exposed, the surgeon identifies the blood vessels supplying the area. A loop is placed around each vessel to control bleeding during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Examination of the Renal Pelvis - The renal pelvis is visually examined, particularly noting any dilation due to obstruction. This assessment is crucial for determining the extent of the surgical intervention required.
  • Step 4: Creation of the Y-shaped Incision - A Y-shaped incision is made in the dilated renal pelvis. The first arm of the Y is created with an anterior incision at the ureteropelvic junction, extending laterally and downward toward the hilum of the kidney. The second arm is formed by making a posterior incision in the renal pelvis.
  • Step 5: Ureter Incision - The ureter is incised longitudinally on its lateral aspect, which faces the renal pelvis. This step is essential for facilitating the anastomosis of the ureter to the renal pelvis.
  • Step 6: Trimming and Preparation - The renal pelvis flap is trimmed as necessary to ensure proper alignment and fit during the reconstruction process.
  • Step 7: Placement of Tubes or Stents - Before repositioning the ureter, a nephrostomy or pyelostomy tube may be placed, and/or a ureteral stent may be introduced to maintain the ureter's diameter during healing.
  • Step 8: Ureteral Anastomosis - The ureter is positioned along the incision lines in the renal pelvis and is then anastomosed to ensure a secure connection.
  • Step 9: Closure - Drains are placed as needed to facilitate postoperative recovery, and the operative wound is closed around the drains to complete the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the pyeloplasty procedure, patients typically require monitoring for any complications such as infection or bleeding. The placement of drains will help manage any fluid accumulation and facilitate healing. Patients may experience some discomfort and will be advised on pain management strategies. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the success of the surgery and ensure that the urinary tract is functioning properly. Recovery time may vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the procedure, but most patients can expect to resume normal activities within a few weeks, contingent upon their overall health and the absence of complications.

Short Descr REVISION OF KIDNEY/URETER
Medium Descr PYELOPLASTY SIMPLE
Long Descr Pyeloplasty (Foley Y-pyeloplasty), plastic operation on renal pelvis, with or without plastic operation on ureter, nephropexy, nephrostomy, pyelostomy, or ureteral splinting; simple
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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 112 - Other OR therapeutic procedures of urinary tract
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).
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.
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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