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The procedure described by CPT® Code 50840 involves the surgical replacement of all or part of the ureter using a segment of intestine. This is typically indicated when a section of the ureter is diseased or injured, necessitating its removal. The remaining healthy portion of the ureter is then connected to the intestine, allowing for the continuation of urinary flow. The surgery begins with an incision in the abdomen, through which the peritoneum is accessed. The small bowel is carefully isolated and moved out of the surgical area to provide a clear view of the ureter. The affected segment of the ureter is excised, and the distal end is ligated at the ureterovesical junction to prevent any leakage. A segment of the intestine, often the ileum, is selected based on the length required for the replacement. This segment is then prepared for anastomosis, which involves connecting it to both the ureter and the bladder. The procedure is intricate, requiring precise surgical techniques to ensure proper healing and function post-operation.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 50840 is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful ureteral replacement:
Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as infection or leakage at the anastomosis sites. Patients may require a nephrostomy tube for urinary drainage, which will be managed until the urinary tract is functioning properly. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and ensure that the anastomosis is functioning as intended. Patients are typically advised on activity restrictions and signs to watch for that may indicate complications, such as fever or increased pain.
| Short Descr | REPLACE URETER BY BOWEL | Medium Descr | RPLCMT ALL/PART URETER INTESTINE SGM W/ANAST | Long Descr | Replacement of all or part of ureter by intestine segment, including intestine anastomosis | 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). | 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. | 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). | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 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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| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |