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The procedure described by CPT® Code 50940 refers to the deligation of the ureter, which is a surgical intervention aimed at addressing an unintended complication that may arise during abdominal or retroperitoneal surgeries. Deligation involves the removal of a ligature that has inadvertently tied off the ureter, leading to potential obstruction of urine flow. This situation can occur when surrounding blood vessels are ligated, and the ureter becomes caught in the ligature, resulting in either complete or partial obstruction. The procedure typically requires the physician to access the ureter through either a retroperitoneal or transperitoneal approach, allowing for direct visualization and evaluation of the ureter's health. During this evaluation, the physician assesses whether the blood supply to the ureter remains intact, which is crucial for the ureter's viability. If the ureter is determined to be healthy, the ligature is carefully removed, thereby relieving the obstruction and restoring normal urinary function.
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The deligation of the ureter is indicated in specific clinical scenarios where inadvertent ligation has occurred, leading to obstruction. The following conditions warrant this procedure:
The deligation of the ureter involves several critical procedural steps to ensure successful removal of the ligature and restoration of ureteral function. The following steps outline the procedure:
Post-procedure care following the deligation of the ureter involves monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as infection or recurrent obstruction. Patients may require imaging studies to confirm the successful resolution of the obstruction and to evaluate the health of the ureter. Additionally, follow-up appointments are essential to assess recovery and ensure that normal urinary function is restored. Pain management and hydration are also important aspects of post-operative care to facilitate recovery.
| Short Descr | RELEASE OF URETER | Medium Descr | DELIGATION URETER | Long Descr | Deligation of ureter | 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 |
| 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). | 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). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |