© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 53449 refers to the surgical procedure for the repair of an inflatable urethral or bladder neck sphincter, which includes the components of the device such as the pump, reservoir, and cuff. This procedure is typically indicated when there is a mechanical failure of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). Such failures can occur due to various reasons, including depressurization from loss of fluid or disconnection of components, as well as obstruction caused by kinks in the tubing or improper positioning of the pump. To diagnose the issue, healthcare providers may utilize physical examinations, radiologic imaging, or urodynamic studies. If these diagnostic methods indicate that surgical intervention is necessary, the procedure involves making small incisions in the lower abdomen to access the internal components of the AUS. The goal of the repair is to restore the functionality of the device, ensuring that it operates correctly to manage urinary incontinence effectively.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 53449 is indicated for patients experiencing mechanical failure of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). This failure may manifest through various symptoms or conditions, including:
The procedure for the repair of the inflatable urethral/bladder neck sphincter involves several critical steps to ensure proper diagnosis and repair of the device.
After the completion of the procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve monitoring for any complications related to the surgical site or the functionality of the repaired AUS. Post-operative care typically includes instructions on activity restrictions, signs of infection to watch for, and follow-up appointments to assess the success of the repair. Patients may also be advised on how to manage their urinary function during the recovery phase, ensuring that the device is operating as intended.
| Short Descr | REPAIR URO SPHINCTER | Medium Descr | RPR NFLTBL URETHRAL/BLADDER NECK SPHINCTER | Long Descr | Repair of inflatable urethral/bladder neck sphincter, including 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 | 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 | 106 - Genitourinary incontinence procedures |
| 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. | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.