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Official Description

Orchiectomy, partial

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A partial orchiectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a portion of the testicle while preserving the surrounding healthy testicular tissue. This intervention is typically indicated for the treatment of benign intratesticular tumors or cysts, which may include conditions such as benign epidermoid cysts, hamartomas, or squamous epithelial cysts. The goal of a partial orchiectomy is to eliminate the problematic lesion while maintaining as much functional testicular tissue as possible, thereby minimizing the impact on the patient's reproductive capabilities and hormonal function. The procedure is performed through a groin incision, allowing for direct access to the scrotum and the affected testicle. Care is taken throughout the surgery to protect surrounding structures, such as the ilioinguinal nerve, which is crucial for maintaining sensation in the groin area. This careful approach ensures that the procedure is both effective in addressing the lesion and conservative in preserving healthy tissue.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The partial orchiectomy is indicated for specific conditions that necessitate the removal of testicular tissue while preserving the overall function of the testicle. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:

  • Benign Intratesticular Tumor - This includes non-cancerous growths within the testicle that may require surgical intervention to alleviate symptoms or prevent complications.
  • Benign Epidermoid Cyst - A type of cyst that can form in the testicle, which may cause discomfort or other issues, necessitating its removal.
  • Hamartoma - A benign tumor made up of an abnormal mixture of cells and tissues that are normally found in the area, which may require excision if symptomatic.
  • Squamous Epithelial Cyst - Another form of benign cyst that can develop in the testicular region, potentially leading to complications if not addressed.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a partial orchiectomy involves several critical steps to ensure the effective removal of the lesion while preserving healthy testicular tissue. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exploration - The surgical process begins with an incision made in the groin area to access the scrotum. This approach allows the surgeon to explore the area thoroughly.
  • Step 2: Opening the External Oblique Fascia - The external oblique fascia is carefully opened, with particular attention paid to protecting the ilioinguinal nerve, which is essential for maintaining sensation in the groin.
  • Step 3: Mobilization of the Spermatic Cord - The spermatic cord is mobilized, and a tourniquet is placed around it to control blood flow during the procedure.
  • Step 4: Delivery of the Testicle - The testicle is then delivered through the incision while remaining attached to the spermatic cord, allowing for direct access to the affected area.
  • Step 5: Inspection of the Testis and Epididymis - The tunica vaginalis, which encases the testicle, is incised to allow for inspection of the testis and epididymis, ensuring a thorough examination of the area.
  • Step 6: Identification of the Lesion - The lesion is identified during the inspection, and biopsies are obtained to confirm its benign nature through a separately reportable frozen section analysis.
  • Step 7: Excision of the Mass - The mass is carefully excised from the surrounding germinal testicular tissue, ensuring that healthy tissue is preserved as much as possible.
  • Step 8: Closure of the Testicular Capsule - After the excision, the testicular capsule, known as the tunica albuginea, is closed to protect the remaining testicular tissue.
  • Step 9: Replacement and Wound Closure - The testis is replaced back into the scrotal sac, the tourniquet around the cord is removed, the surgical wound is irrigated, and finally, the wound is closed to complete the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a partial orchiectomy typically involves monitoring for any complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Patients may be advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a specified period to promote healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess recovery and ensure that the excised lesion was indeed benign, as confirmed by the frozen section analysis. Patients should also be informed about potential changes in testicular function and any signs of complications that should prompt immediate medical attention.

Short Descr ORCHIECTOMY PARTIAL
Medium Descr ORCHIECTOMY PARTIAL
Long Descr Orchiectomy, partial
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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 118 - Other OR therapeutic procedures, male genital
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
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.)
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
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)
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2001-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2001.
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