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Official Description

Ureteroenterostomy, direct anastomosis of ureter to intestine

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 50800 refers to a ureteroenterostomy, which is a surgical operation that involves the direct anastomosis, or connection, of the ureter to the intestine. This procedure is typically indicated when there is a diseased or injured segment of the ureter, particularly in the middle or distal portions. During the operation, the affected segment of the ureter is surgically removed, and the healthy proximal segment is then connected to the intestine, allowing for the proper drainage of urine into the gastrointestinal tract. The surgical approach generally involves making an incision in the midline of the abdomen to access the peritoneal cavity. The small bowel is carefully isolated and moved out of the way to provide a clear view of the ureter, which is then mobilized while ensuring that the surrounding perirenal tissue and blood supply are preserved. After excising the diseased ureter segment, the remaining ureter is ligated at the ureterovesical junction. A segment of the intestine, often the ileum, is selected and prepared for the anastomosis. The ureter is then spatulated, stented, and connected to the intestine in an end-to-side manner. In some cases, a nephrostomy tube may be placed to facilitate drainage. Finally, the surgical wound is closed in layers to promote healing.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The ureteroenterostomy procedure is indicated for specific conditions affecting the ureter. These include:

  • Ureteral Obstruction - A blockage in the ureter that prevents urine from flowing from the kidney to the bladder.
  • Ureteral Injury - Damage to the ureter due to trauma, surgical complications, or other medical conditions.
  • Ureteral Stricture - A narrowing of the ureter that can result from scarring or inflammation, leading to impaired urine flow.
  • Malignancy - The presence of cancerous tumors affecting the ureter that necessitate surgical intervention.

2. Procedure

The ureteroenterostomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful anastomosis between the ureter and the intestine. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Incision and Access - A midline incision is made in the abdomen to access the peritoneal cavity. This allows the surgeon to visualize and manipulate the ureter and surrounding structures effectively.
  • Step 2: Isolation of the Small Bowel - The small bowel is carefully isolated and packed out of the surgical field to provide a clear working area for the ureteral procedure.
  • Step 3: Mobilization of the Ureter - The ureter is exposed and mobilized, with particular attention given to preserving the perirenal tissue and blood supply, which are crucial for the ureter's viability.
  • Step 4: Excision of the Diseased Segment - The diseased segment of the ureter is excised, and the distal ureteral stump is ligated at the ureterovesical junction to prevent urine leakage.
  • Step 5: Preparation of the Intestinal Segment - A segment of the intestine, typically the ileum, is selected and mobilized as necessary to facilitate the anastomosis with the ureter.
  • Step 6: Spatulation and Anastomosis - The ureter is spatulated to create a larger surface area for connection, stented if required, and then anastomosed to the intestine in an end-to-side fashion, ensuring a secure and functional connection.
  • Step 7: Placement of Nephrostomy Tube - A nephrostomy tube may be placed as needed to allow for proper drainage of urine from the kidney during the recovery phase.
  • Step 8: Closure of the Surgical Wound - The surgical wound is closed in layers to promote healing and minimize complications.

3. Post-Procedure

After the ureteroenterostomy procedure, patients may require monitoring for complications such as infection, leakage at the anastomosis site, or obstruction. Recovery typically involves a hospital stay where the patient is observed for any immediate postoperative issues. Pain management and hydration are essential during this period. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the function of the anastomosis and ensure that the urinary system is functioning properly. Patients may also need to adhere to specific dietary guidelines and activity restrictions as they recover.

Short Descr IMPLANT URETER IN BOWEL
Medium Descr URETEROENTEROSTOMY ANAST URETER INTESTINE
Long Descr Ureteroenterostomy, direct anastomosis of ureter to intestine
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.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
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.)
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
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)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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