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Official Description

Excision of lesion of spermatic cord (separate procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The excision of a lesion from the spermatic cord is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of abnormal tissue located within the spermatic cord, which is a structure that contains blood vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens. This procedure is typically performed through an inguinal incision, which is a cut made in the lower abdomen, specifically in the groin area. The process begins with the creation of a transverse inguinal incision in the skin, which is then extended through various layers of tissue, including the subcutaneous tissue, Camper's fascia, and Scarpa's fascia, until reaching the external oblique aponeurosis. During the surgery, the inguinal canal is accessed, and the ilioinguinal nerve, which provides sensation to the groin area, is carefully identified and isolated to prevent damage. The surgeon then explores the surgical wound to locate the spermatic cord, which is gently dissected away from the anterior cremaster muscle fibers leading to the internal ring. To ensure stability during the procedure, the spermatic cord is secured using non-crushing clamps and ligated at the gubernaculum, a fibrous structure that helps anchor the cord. Once the lesion is located, it is excised, and any bleeding is managed using electrocautery, a technique that uses electrical current to control bleeding. Finally, the spermatic fascia is closed with fine sutures, and the layers of tissue, including the external oblique muscle, Scarpa's fascia, and Camper's fascia, are meticulously closed in layers, culminating with the closure of the skin. This procedure is classified as a separate procedure, indicating that it is performed independently and is not part of a more extensive surgical intervention.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The excision of a lesion of the spermatic cord is indicated for various conditions that may affect the spermatic cord, including but not limited to:

  • Lesions Abnormal growths or tumors that may be benign or malignant.
  • Inguinal hernias Conditions where tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles, potentially involving the spermatic cord.
  • Chronic pain Persistent discomfort in the groin area that may be associated with lesions or other abnormalities in the spermatic cord.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excising a lesion of the spermatic cord involves several critical steps to ensure successful removal and patient safety.

  • Step 1: Incision A transverse inguinal incision is made in the skin of the groin area. This incision is carefully extended through the subcutaneous tissue, Camper's fascia, and Scarpa's fascia until the external oblique aponeurosis is reached, providing access to the inguinal canal.
  • Step 2: Accessing the Inguinal Canal The inguinal canal is opened, allowing the surgeon to identify and isolate the ilioinguinal nerve. This step is crucial to prevent nerve damage during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Dissection of the Spermatic Cord The surgical wound is explored to locate the spermatic cord. The cord is then bluntly dissected off the anterior cremaster muscle fibers, extending to the internal ring, which is the entrance to the inguinal canal.
  • Step 4: Stabilization and Ligation Once the spermatic cord is identified, it is stabilized using non-crushing clamps to prevent damage to the structures within. The cord is then ligated at the gubernaculum, securing it in place.
  • Step 5: Excision of the Lesion The lesion is carefully identified and excised from the spermatic cord. This step requires precision to ensure complete removal of the abnormal tissue.
  • Step 6: Hemostasis Any bleeding that occurs during the excision is controlled using electrocautery, which helps to minimize blood loss and promote a clean surgical field.
  • Step 7: Closure The spermatic fascia is closed with fine sutures to ensure proper healing. Subsequently, the external oblique muscle, Scarpa's fascia, and Camper's fascia are closed in layers, followed by the closure of the skin, ensuring that all layers are properly aligned and secured.

3. Post-Procedure

After the excision of the lesion from the spermatic cord, post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery. Patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Pain management may be provided as needed, and patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments are usually scheduled to assess the surgical site and ensure that the recovery process is proceeding as expected. Additionally, any pathology results from the excised lesion will be discussed with the patient during follow-up visits.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF SPERM CORD LESION
Medium Descr EXC LESION SPERMATIC CORD SEPARATE PROCEDURE
Long Descr Excision of lesion of spermatic cord (separate procedure)
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
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.
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).
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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).
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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.
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.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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).
AF Specialty physician
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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