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Official Description

Lysis of labial adhesions

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 56441 involves the lysis of labial adhesions, which are also known as vaginal synechiae. This condition is primarily observed in pediatric patients, where thin, pale, and semitranslucent membranes form between the labia minora, potentially covering or completely obstructing the vaginal opening. The presence of labial adhesions can lead to various complications, including discomfort and difficulty with hygiene. To address this issue, a physician will typically apply a local anesthetic cream to the labia minora to minimize discomfort during the procedure. Following this, the adhesions are carefully separated using a technique known as blunt dissection, which involves the use of a blunt instrument to gently separate the adhered tissues without causing trauma to the surrounding structures. After the lysis is completed, estrogen cream is applied to the labia for a duration of several weeks. This application is crucial as it helps to prevent the recurrence of the adhesions, promoting healing and maintaining the normal anatomy of the vaginal area.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of lysis of labial adhesions is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Labial Adhesions The presence of thin, pale, semitranslucent membranes between the labia minora that cover or obstruct the vaginal opening, leading to potential complications such as discomfort or hygiene issues.

2. Procedure

The lysis of labial adhesions involves several key procedural steps that ensure the effective separation of the adhered tissues.

  • Step 1: Application of Local Anesthetic Prior to the procedure, a local anesthetic cream is applied to the labia minora. This step is essential to minimize any discomfort the patient may experience during the lysis of the adhesions.
  • Step 2: Separation of Adhesions Once the local anesthetic has taken effect, the physician proceeds to separate the adhesions using blunt dissection. This technique involves the careful use of a blunt instrument to gently separate the membranes without causing damage to the surrounding tissues.
  • Step 3: Application of Estrogen Cream After the adhesions have been successfully lysed, estrogen cream is applied to the labia. This application is critical as it helps to promote healing and prevent the recurrence of labial adhesions over the following weeks.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any signs of complications and ensuring proper healing. The application of estrogen cream should continue for several weeks as directed by the physician to help prevent the reformation of adhesions. Patients may be advised on hygiene practices and follow-up appointments to assess the healing process and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Short Descr LYSIS OF LABIAL ADHESIONS
Medium Descr LYSIS LABIAL ADHESIONS
Long Descr Lysis of labial adhesions
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - 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) 0 - 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 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) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 132 - Other OR therapeutic procedures, female organs
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).
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.
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).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2025-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
1991-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1991.
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