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Official Description

Laparoscopy, surgical; ureteroneocystostomy without cystoscopy and ureteral stent placement

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Laparoscopy, surgical ureteroneocystostomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves the reattachment of the ureter to the bladder. This procedure is performed using a laparoscopic approach, which means that it is done through small incisions rather than a large open incision. The term "ureteroneocystostomy" refers to the surgical creation of a new connection between the ureter and the bladder. In this specific procedure, coded as CPT® 50948, the surgery is conducted without the use of cystoscopy or the placement of a ureteral stent. The process begins with the creation of a small incision below the umbilicus, through which a trocar is inserted to access the peritoneal cavity. A laparoscope is then introduced to allow visualization of the internal structures. The abdomen is insufflated to create space for the surgical instruments, which are introduced through additional small incisions. The surgeon carefully dissects the ureter under laparoscopic control, mobilizing it from its proximal location down to the ureterovesical junction, where it connects to the bladder. An incision is made in the bladder wall to form a trough at the site where the ureter will be reattached. The ureter is then inserted into this trough and sutured to the bladder, ensuring a secure connection. This procedure is essential for patients who may have experienced ureteral obstruction or other complications affecting the urinary tract, allowing for the restoration of normal urinary function.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy (CPT® 50948) is indicated for patients who require surgical intervention to address specific urinary tract conditions. These indications may include:

  • Ureteral Obstruction - A blockage in the ureter that prevents urine from flowing from the kidney to the bladder.
  • Ureteral Reflux - A condition where urine flows backward from the bladder into the ureters, which can lead to infections and kidney damage.
  • Ureteral Injury - Damage to the ureter due to trauma or surgical complications that necessitates reconstruction.
  • Congenital Anomalies - Birth defects affecting the ureter or bladder that require surgical correction.

2. Procedure

The laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy procedure involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:

  • Step 1: Incision and Access - The procedure begins with the creation of a small incision inferior to the umbilicus. A trocar is inserted through this incision to access the peritoneal cavity.
  • Step 2: Insufflation and Visualization - Once the trocar is in place, a laparoscope is introduced through the trocar. The abdomen is then insufflated with gas to create a working space for the surgical instruments and to enhance visibility of the internal structures.
  • Step 3: Additional Incisions - Several additional portal incisions are made to allow for the introduction of various surgical instruments necessary for the procedure.
  • Step 4: Ureter Dissection - Under laparoscopic control, the surgeon performs dissection to mobilize the ureter, starting from a point proximal to the broad ligament and continuing down to the ureterovesical junction.
  • Step 5: Bladder Incision - An incision is made in the muscular wall of the bladder, specifically in the detrusor muscle, to create a trough at the planned site for the ureteral transplant along the lateral aspect of the bladder.
  • Step 6: Ureter Insertion and Anastomosis - The ureter is then inserted into the detrusor trough created in the bladder. The edges of the bladder are sutured around the ureter to secure the anastomosis.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy, the patient will typically require monitoring for any complications. Post-procedure care may include the placement of a urethral catheter to facilitate urine drainage while the surgical site heals. Patients can expect a recovery period during which they may experience some discomfort and will need to follow specific instructions regarding activity levels and follow-up appointments. It is essential to monitor for signs of infection or complications related to the surgical site during the recovery phase.

Short Descr LAPARO NEW URETER/BLADDER
Medium Descr LAPS URTRONEOCSTOST W/O CSTSC&URTRL STENT PLMT
Long Descr Laparoscopy, surgical; ureteroneocystostomy without cystoscopy and ureteral stent placement
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 102 - Ureteral catheterization

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

49327 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Laparoscopy, surgical; with placement of interstitial device(s) for radiation therapy guidance (eg, fiducial markers, dosimeter), intra-abdominal, intrapelvic, and/or retroperitoneum, including imaging guidance, if performed, single or multiple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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.
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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)
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)
Date
Action
Notes
2001-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2001.
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