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Official Description

Dilation of urethral stricture by passage of filiform and follower, male; subsequent

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A urethral stricture in a male is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the urethra, which can occur due to various factors such as infection or trauma. The procedure described by CPT® Code 53621 involves the dilation of this stricture using a specialized technique that employs a filiform and follower. The filiform dilator is a slender, flexible instrument designed to navigate through the urethra, while the follower is a series of threadlike instruments that progressively increase in diameter. This method allows for the gradual expansion of the narrowed urethra, restoring normal urinary flow. There are two primary types of filiform dilators utilized in this procedure. The first type incorporates a filiform wire guide, which is inserted into the urethra, followed by the insertion of followers of increasing size to effectively dilate the stricture. The second type is an integral filiform urethral dilator that simplifies the process by combining the functions of the filiform and follower into a single instrument, thus eliminating the need for multiple followers. It is important to note that CPT® Code 53620 is designated for the initial dilation procedure using a filiform and follower, while CPT® Code 53621 is specifically used for subsequent dilation procedures.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The dilation of urethral stricture by passage of filiform and follower is indicated for the treatment of a urethral stricture in males. This condition may arise from various underlying issues, including:

  • Infection Urethral strictures can develop as a result of infections that lead to inflammation and scarring of the urethra.
  • Trauma Physical injury to the urethra, whether from accidents, surgical procedures, or other forms of trauma, can result in narrowing.

2. Procedure

The procedure for dilation of a urethral stricture using a filiform and follower involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the area is prepared for the procedure. This may include antiseptic cleaning to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: Insertion of Filiform Wire Guide A filiform wire guide is carefully inserted into the urethra. This guide is designed to navigate through the stricture and provide a pathway for subsequent instruments.
  • Step 3: Passage of Followers Once the wire guide is in place, a series of followers, which are threadlike instruments of increasing diameter, are passed over the wire guide. Each follower is inserted sequentially to gradually dilate the narrowed portion of the urethra.
  • Step 4: Assessment After the dilation is complete, the physician assesses the urethra to ensure that the stricture has been adequately treated and that normal urinary flow is restored.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the dilation procedure, patients may be monitored for any immediate complications. It is common for patients to experience some discomfort or mild bleeding post-procedure. Instructions for post-procedure care typically include recommendations for hydration, monitoring for signs of infection, and avoiding strenuous activities for a specified period. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the success of the dilation and to determine if further treatment is necessary.

Short Descr DILATE URETHRA STRICTURE
Medium Descr DILAT URETHRAL STRIX FILIFORM & FOLLWR MALE SBSQ
Long Descr Dilation of urethral stricture by passage of filiform and follower, male; subsequent
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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory 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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 109 - Procedures on the urethra
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.
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.
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.)
AG Primary physician
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
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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