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Official Description

Amputation of penis; complete

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 54125 refers to the complete amputation of the penis, a surgical procedure that may be indicated in cases where a tumor or lesion is significantly large or infiltrating. This procedure is performed under sterile conditions, typically with the patient positioned in dorsal lithotomy, which allows for optimal access and visibility. The surgical team prepares the area, including the penis, scrotum, and perineum, ensuring that the site is draped appropriately to maintain a sterile field. The procedure involves isolating the affected area, followed by a series of meticulous steps to ensure the complete removal of the penis while preserving surrounding structures as much as possible. The surgical technique includes making an elliptical incision, ligating blood vessels, and carefully dissecting the urethra and corpora cavernosa. The procedure concludes with the preparation of tissue samples for pathological examination to assess for clear margins of cancer or other abnormalities. This comprehensive approach is critical for both the immediate surgical outcome and the long-term management of the patient's health.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The complete amputation of the penis, as described by CPT® Code 54125, is indicated in specific clinical scenarios, primarily when there is a presence of a large or infiltrating tumor or lesion. This procedure is typically considered when conservative treatments are insufficient, and the extent of the tumor necessitates complete removal to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient.

  • Large Tumor The procedure is indicated when a tumor is of significant size, potentially affecting surrounding tissues.
  • Infiltrating Lesion Lesions that invade deeper structures may require amputation to prevent further spread and complications.

2. Procedure

The procedure for complete amputation of the penis involves several critical steps to ensure thorough removal and proper management of the surgical site.

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned in the dorsal lithotomy position, and the surgical area, including the penis, scrotum, and perineum, is prepared and draped to maintain a sterile environment.
  • Step 2: Isolation of the Tumor A sterile condom or glove is used to sheath the entire penis, isolating the tumor or lesion, which is then sutured at the base to prevent contamination.
  • Step 3: Incision An elliptical skin incision is made at the base of the penis, extending through the subcutaneous tissue to the pubis, allowing access to the underlying structures.
  • Step 4: Ligation of Vessels Blood vessels and lymphatic tissue are carefully ligated or fulgurated to minimize bleeding during the procedure.
  • Step 5: Identification of Ligaments The penile suspensory ligaments are identified and isolated to facilitate the amputation process.
  • Step 6: Clamping and Ligation The dorsal vein and penile arteries are identified, clamped, and ligated to ensure complete vascular control.
  • Step 7: Urethra Dissection The penis is positioned upward, and Buck's fascia is opened to dissect the urethra free from the corpora cavernosa.
  • Step 8: Urethra Division The urethra is divided at the distal bulbar region, ensuring adequate length for routing to the perineum.
  • Step 9: Corpora Cavernosa Dissection Dissection of the corpora cavernosa continues to the ischiopubic rami, where it is ligated and transected, completing the amputation.
  • Step 10: Tissue Sample Preparation Tissue samples from the amputated penis are prepared for pathological examination to check for clear margins of cancer or other abnormal cells.
  • Step 11: Urethrostomy Preparation Dissection continues around the urethra to the urogenital diaphragm, aiming for a straight course to the perineal urethrostomy site.
  • Step 12: Skin Wedge Removal A 1 cm wedge of skin and subcutaneous tissue is removed from the midline of the perineum, between the scrotum and the rectum.
  • Step 13: Creating a Tunnel Using a curved clamp, a tunnel is created in the perineal subcutaneous tissue, allowing the urethra to be pulled through the perineal incision.
  • Step 14: Urethra Anastomosis After spatulating the urethra dorsally, a V-shaped skin inlay is created and anastomosed to the lining of the urethra.
  • Step 15: Catheter Insertion A catheter is inserted transurethrally to facilitate drainage and healing.
  • Step 16: Drain Placement Penrose drains are placed on either side of the scrotum to manage any potential fluid accumulation.
  • Step 17: Wound Closure The wound is closed transversely, allowing for the elevation of the scrotum away from the perineal urethrostomy site, ensuring proper healing and positioning.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the complete amputation of the penis involves monitoring for complications such as bleeding, infection, and proper healing of the surgical site. Patients may require pain management and should be advised on care for the perineal urethrostomy site to prevent complications. Follow-up appointments are essential for assessing healing and managing any further treatment needs, including the evaluation of tissue samples by a pathologist to ensure clear margins from cancer or other abnormalities.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF PENIS
Medium Descr AMPUTATION PENIS COMPLETE
Long Descr Amputation of penis; complete
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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 118 - Other OR therapeutic procedures, male genital
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).
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
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