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Official Description

Ureteroileal conduit (ileal bladder), including intestine anastomosis (Bricker operation)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 50820 refers to the surgical procedure known as ureteroileal conduit, specifically utilizing a segment of the ileum to create a urinary diversion. This procedure is commonly performed in patients who have conditions such as bladder cancer, neurogenic bladder, radiation injury to the bladder, or intractable incontinence, among other indications. The operation involves a series of meticulous steps that include the incision of the abdomen, isolation of the small bowel, and mobilization of the ureters. The ureters are then divided and ligated, followed by the identification and isolation of the ileal segment that will serve as the conduit. The remaining bowel segments are reconnected to restore continuity. A stoma is created by pulling the distal end of the conduit through the abdominal wall and securing it to the skin, allowing for urine collection. This procedure is essential for patients who require a diversion of urine due to various urological conditions, providing them with a functional means of urine excretion.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The ureteroileal conduit procedure (CPT® Code 50820) is indicated for patients with specific urological conditions that necessitate a diversion of urine. The following are the primary indications for this surgical intervention:

  • Bladder Cancer - Patients diagnosed with bladder cancer may require this procedure to divert urine when the bladder is compromised or removed.
  • Neurogenic Bladder - Individuals with neurogenic bladder, a condition where nerve damage affects bladder control, may benefit from this urinary diversion.
  • Radiation Injury to the Bladder - Patients who have sustained radiation damage to the bladder may need a ureteroileal conduit to manage urinary function.
  • Intractable Incontinence - Those suffering from severe incontinence that cannot be managed through conservative treatments may require this procedure.
  • Other Conditions - Various other urological conditions that impair normal bladder function may also warrant the creation of a ureteroileal conduit.

2. Procedure

The ureteroileal conduit procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful urinary diversion. The following outlines the procedural steps involved:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure - The procedure begins with a midline incision in the abdomen, followed by the opening of the peritoneum to access the internal structures. This allows the surgeon to visualize and manipulate the necessary organs.
  • Step 2: Isolation of the Small Bowel - The small bowel is carefully isolated and packed out of the surgical field to prevent contamination and facilitate the next steps of the procedure.
  • Step 3: Mobilization of the Ureters - The ureters are exposed and mobilized, which involves freeing them from surrounding tissues to allow for proper manipulation during the conduit creation.
  • Step 4: Division of the Ureters - The ureters are divided distally near the ureterovesical junction, and the ureteral stumps are ligated to prevent any leakage of urine.
  • Step 5: Identification of the Conduit Segment - A segment of the ileum is identified and isolated for use as the conduit. This segment will serve as the new pathway for urine to exit the body.
  • Step 6: Restoration of Bowel Continuity - The remaining segments of bowel, both distal and proximal to the isolated ileal segment, are anastomosed to restore normal bowel continuity.
  • Step 7: Creation of the Stoma - A stoma site is selected, and the skin is incised. The dissection continues down to the anterior rectus fascia, which is also incised. The rectus muscle is divided using blunt dissection to create an opening for the conduit.
  • Step 8: Eversion and Suturing of the Conduit - The distal end of the conduit is pulled through the abdominal wall, everted, and sutured to the skin or subcutaneous tissues to form the stoma.
  • Step 9: Closure of the Proximal End - The proximal end of the conduit is closed with sutures to prevent any leakage.
  • Step 10: Creation of the Tunnel - A tunnel is created from the conduit to the ureters, allowing for the connection of the ureters to the conduit.
  • Step 11: Spatulation and Anastomosis - The ends of the ureters are spatulated, and small incisions are made in the conduit. The ureters are then anastomosed to the conduit approximately 3 cm apart to ensure proper drainage.
  • Step 12: Placement of Stents - Stents are placed in both ureters to facilitate urine flow and prevent obstruction during the healing process.
  • Step 13: Drain Placement and Closure - Drains are placed as needed to manage any postoperative fluid accumulation, and the surgical incisions are closed in layers to promote healing.
  • Step 14: Application of Ostomy Bag - Finally, an ostomy bag is placed over the ostomy site to collect urine, providing the patient with a functional means of urine excretion.

3. Post-Procedure

After the ureteroileal conduit procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve monitoring for complications such as infection or obstruction. Post-operative care typically includes managing the stoma and ensuring proper function of the conduit. Patients will be educated on how to care for the ostomy bag and monitor for any signs of complications. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and the function of the urinary diversion. It is important for patients to adhere to any prescribed follow-up care and report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider promptly.

Short Descr CONSTRUCT BOWEL BLADDER
Medium Descr URETEROILEAL CONDUIT W/INTESTINE ANASTOMOSIS
Long Descr Ureteroileal conduit (ileal bladder), including intestine anastomosis (Bricker operation)
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
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).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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).
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).
AG Primary physician
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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
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2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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