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Official Description

Insertion of inflatable urethral/bladder neck sphincter, including placement of pump, reservoir, and cuff

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 53445 involves the insertion of an inflatable urethral or bladder neck sphincter, which is a medical device designed to help control urinary flow. This artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) can be implanted in both male and female patients who experience urinary incontinence. The AUS consists of several components, including a cuff that encircles the urethra, a pump that allows the patient to control the device, and a reservoir that holds the fluid necessary for the operation of the cuff. The procedure is performed through surgical incisions, with specific techniques tailored to the anatomy of the patient. In males, a midline incision is made in the perineum, while in females, a transverse incision is typically made in the lower abdomen, sometimes accompanied by an incision in the vaginal wall. The surgical steps involve careful dissection and placement of the device components to ensure proper function and minimize complications. The AUS is designed to provide patients with improved control over urination, significantly enhancing their quality of life.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The insertion of an inflatable urethral/bladder neck sphincter is indicated for patients experiencing urinary incontinence, which may result from various conditions affecting bladder control. This procedure is suitable for both men and women who have not responded adequately to conservative treatments or medications aimed at managing their incontinence symptoms.

  • Urinary Incontinence Patients suffering from involuntary loss of urine, which can significantly impact their daily activities and quality of life.
  • Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence Men who have undergone prostate surgery and experience persistent urinary incontinence as a complication.
  • Neurological Conditions Individuals with neurological disorders that affect bladder control, such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries.

2. Procedure

The procedure for inserting an inflatable urethral/bladder neck sphincter involves several detailed steps to ensure proper placement and functionality of the device.

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and anesthesia is administered. A catheter is placed transurethrally to facilitate access to the urethra.
  • Step 2: Incision and Dissection (Male) A midline incision is made in the perineum just below the scrotum. The incision is carried down through the Colles' fascia and the bulbocavernosus muscle to access the urethra, which is then freed circumferentially from surrounding tissue.
  • Step 3: Urethral Measurement The catheter is removed to allow for accurate measurement of the urethra's circumference. An appropriately sized urethral sphincter cuff is selected based on this measurement.
  • Step 4: Cuff Placement The cuff is prepared and filled with an iso-osmotic solution. It is then passed tab first around the urethra, snapped in place, and the tab is rotated dorsally. The cuff tubing is routed through a subcutaneous tunnel to the abdomen.
  • Step 5: Abdominal Incision A midline or transverse suprapubic incision is made in the abdomen, and the rectus fascia is divided to access the prevesical space. A pocket is created to accommodate the balloon.
  • Step 6: Balloon and Pump Preparation The balloon is filled with an iso-osmotic solution and positioned in the prevesical space. The pump is also prepared with the solution and placed in a dependent subdartos pouch created in the hemiscrotum.
  • Step 7: Connection and Testing The connecting tubing is trimmed, and ends are sealed with sutureless connectors. The device is cycled 2 or 3 times to check for fluid leaks and functionality, and the cuff is locked in the open position.
  • Step 8: Closure The abdominal incision is closed in layers, and a catheter is reinserted transurethrally to ensure proper drainage post-surgery.
  • Step 9: Incision and Device Placement (Female) For female patients, a transverse midline incision is made in the lower abdomen, and the rectus muscle is separated to enter the retropubic space. The bladder is mobilized, and the cuff, tubing, and balloon are placed as described above, with the pump positioned in the labia majora.
  • Step 10: Final Testing and Closure The device is tested for functionality, and all incisions are closed appropriately.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients are monitored for any immediate complications. The catheter remains in place for a specified period to allow for healing and to ensure proper urinary drainage. Patients are typically advised on postoperative care, including activity restrictions and signs of potential complications such as infection or device malfunction. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the functionality of the AUS and to make any necessary adjustments. Patients will receive instructions on how to operate the pump for the AUS to manage their urinary control effectively.

Short Descr INSERT URO/VES NCK SPHINCTER
Medium Descr INSJ INFLATABLE URETHRAL/BLADDER NECK SPHINCTER
Long Descr Insertion of inflatable urethral/bladder neck sphincter, including placement of pump, reservoir, and cuff
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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
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 Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 106 - Genitourinary incontinence procedures
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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).
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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.
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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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)
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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Notes
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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