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Official Description

Prostatotomy, external drainage of prostatic abscess, any approach; complicated

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A prostatotomy is a surgical procedure performed to access the prostate gland, specifically to drain an abscess that has formed within it. This procedure can be executed through various approaches, with the aim of alleviating the complications associated with a prostatic abscess. In the case of CPT® Code 55725, the procedure is classified as complicated, indicating that it involves more intricate surgical techniques compared to a simple prostatotomy, which is represented by CPT® Code 55720. The complicated prostatotomy typically requires a perineal approach, which involves making a significant incision in the mid-perineum, allowing for direct access to the prostate. This procedure is critical in managing prostatic abscesses, as it not only facilitates the drainage of pus but also addresses any loculated areas within the abscess that may require additional intervention. The use of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance may be employed during the procedure to enhance accuracy in locating the abscess pocket, ensuring effective drainage and minimizing potential complications. Overall, the prostatotomy serves as a vital intervention for patients suffering from prostatic abscesses, particularly when the condition is complicated and necessitates a more extensive surgical approach.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Prostatic Abscess The primary indication for performing a complicated prostatotomy is the presence of a prostatic abscess, which is a localized collection of pus within the prostate gland that can lead to significant discomfort and potential systemic infection.
  • Complicated Cases This procedure is specifically indicated in cases where the abscess is complicated, meaning that it may involve loculations or other factors that complicate drainage and require a more extensive surgical approach.

2. Procedure

The procedural steps for a complicated prostatotomy are as follows:

  • Step 1: Incision The procedure begins with the surgeon making an inverted-U incision in the mid-perineum, positioned above the anal opening. This incision is crucial as it provides access to the underlying structures necessary for the drainage of the abscess.
  • Step 2: Dissection Following the incision, the surgeon carefully dissects down to the ischiorectal fossa, incising each side of the central tendon, which is then divided. This step is essential to expose the fibrous confluence located posterior to the raphe of the bulbospongiosus muscle.
  • Step 3: Muscle Division The bulbospongiosus muscle is divided to further expose the rectourethralis and levator ani muscles. This careful dissection around the rectum is critical to avoid injury to surrounding structures.
  • Step 4: Accessing the Abscess The rectourethralis muscle is divided, and the fibrous confluence is elevated using forceps to reveal the rectum and urethra at the apex of the prostate. This step allows for direct access to the prostate gland.
  • Step 5: Opening the Abscess Pocket An incision is made in the prostate over the identified abscess pocket. This incision is vital for draining the pus contained within the abscess.
  • Step 6: Drainage and Flushing The abscess pocket is opened, and any loculations within the abscess are broken up using blunt dissection. Following this, the abscess pocket is flushed with an antibiotic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Step 7: Drain Placement A drain is placed within the abscess pocket to facilitate continued drainage of any residual fluid. This is an important step to ensure that the area remains free of fluid accumulation post-operatively.
  • Step 8: Closure Finally, the incision is closed around the drain, ensuring that the surgical site is secure while allowing for ongoing drainage of the abscess.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for a complicated prostatotomy includes monitoring for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring that the drain is functioning properly. Patients may require antibiotics to prevent infection and should be advised on signs of complications, such as increased pain, fever, or unusual drainage from the surgical site. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and to determine when the drain can be safely removed. Recovery may vary based on the individual patient's condition and the extent of the procedure performed.

Short Descr DRAINAGE OF PROSTATE ABSCESS
Medium Descr PROSTATOTOMY EXTERNAL DRG ABSCESS COMPLICATED
Long Descr Prostatotomy, external drainage of prostatic abscess, any approach; complicated
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) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 118 - Other OR therapeutic procedures, male genital
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).
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.
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