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Ureteral endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the examination and treatment of the ureter, which is the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. This procedure is performed through an incision in the ureter, known as a ureterotomy, allowing direct access to the ureter for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. During the procedure, a ureteroscope, a specialized instrument equipped with a camera and light, is introduced through the small incision to visualize the internal structure of the ureter. The primary goal of ureteral endoscopy is to identify and address various abnormalities such as obstructions, stenosis (narrowing), strictures, or other pathological conditions affecting the ureter. In addition to visual inspection, the procedure may involve the irrigation of the ureter with normal saline or the instillation of diagnostic or therapeutic solutions to aid in treatment. Furthermore, contrast material can be injected to perform ureteropyelography, a radiologic examination that provides detailed images of the urinary tract. This allows for a comprehensive assessment of the ureter's condition. If any stenosis is detected during the examination, a ureteral catheter is advanced through the ureteroscope to the site of the narrowing. A balloon-tipped catheter may then be introduced and inflated to dilate the stenotic area, which may require multiple inflations to achieve adequate widening. After the necessary interventions are completed, all instruments are carefully removed, and the ureterotomy is closed with sutures, ensuring the integrity of the ureter is restored.
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The procedure of ureteral endoscopy through ureterotomy is indicated for various conditions affecting the ureter. These include:
The procedure of ureteral endoscopy through ureterotomy involves several key steps:
Post-procedure care following ureteral endoscopy through ureterotomy typically involves monitoring for any complications such as bleeding or infection. Patients may be advised to maintain hydration to promote urine flow and facilitate recovery. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the success of the procedure and to monitor for any recurrence of symptoms. It is important for healthcare providers to provide clear instructions regarding activity restrictions and signs of potential complications that patients should be aware of during their recovery period.
| Short Descr | URETER ENDOSCOPY & CATHETER | Medium Descr | NDSC URETEROTOMY URTRL CATHJ W/WO DILAT URETER | Long Descr | Ureteral endoscopy through ureterotomy, with or without irrigation, instillation, or ureteropyelography, exclusive of radiologic service; with ureteral catheterization, with or without dilation of ureter | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | 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) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | 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) | P8I - Endoscopy - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 102 - Ureteral catheterization |
| 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). | 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) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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