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Official Description

Vulvectomy, radical, partial;

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 56630 refers to a radical partial vulvectomy, which is a surgical intervention involving the excision of part of the vulva, a critical component of the female external genitalia. The vulva encompasses several structures, including the mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris, vaginal vestibule, and the openings of the urethra and vagina. This type of vulvectomy is primarily indicated for the treatment of invasive carcinoma, where cancerous cells are present in the vulvar tissues. Unlike a simple vulvectomy, which involves the removal of less tissue, a radical vulvectomy extends deeper into the perineal fascia, ensuring that the excision includes not only the affected vulvar structures but also an adequate margin of healthy tissue to minimize the risk of cancer recurrence. The specific details of the procedure, including the extent of tissue removal, are determined by the location and severity of the malignancy. During the surgery, careful planning is essential, as the excision must encompass the involved areas while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The surgical approach involves making incisions that reach down to the subcutaneous fat and may extend to the perineal fascia and even the periosteum of the pubic symphysis, depending on the extent of the disease. This comprehensive approach is crucial for effectively managing vulvar cancer and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The radical partial vulvectomy procedure, as described by CPT® Code 56630, is indicated for the treatment of invasive carcinoma affecting the vulva. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:

  • Invasive Carcinoma The presence of cancerous cells within the vulvar tissues necessitates surgical removal to prevent further spread and to manage the disease effectively.
  • Localized Malignancy When the malignancy is confined to a specific portion of the vulva, a radical partial vulvectomy allows for targeted excision while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
  • Extent of Disease The procedure is performed based on the location and extent of the cancer, ensuring that adequate margins of healthy tissue are included in the excision to reduce the risk of recurrence.

2. Procedure

The radical partial vulvectomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure the effective removal of cancerous tissue while maintaining as much healthy tissue as possible. The following procedural steps are typically followed:

  • Step 1: Preoperative Planning Prior to the surgery, the physician evaluates the extent of the malignancy and marks the excision margins, ensuring that an adequate margin of healthy tissue is included in the surgical plan.
  • Step 2: Skin Incision A skin incision is made down to the level of subcutaneous fat, carefully following the marked excision lines. This incision is crucial for accessing the deeper structures of the vulva.
  • Step 3: Deep Dissection The dissection continues deeper, reaching the perineal fascia and, if necessary, the periosteum of the pubic symphysis. This step is essential for ensuring complete removal of the involved tissue.
  • Step 4: Excision of Involved Tissue The surgeon excises the affected portion of the vulva, which may include structures such as the labia majora and minora, vaginal vestibule, and associated glands, depending on the location of the malignancy.
  • Step 5: Lymphadenectomy (if indicated) If lymphadenectomy is required, a skin incision is made just below and parallel to the groin crease to access the inguinofemoral lymph nodes. The nodes are then removed, typically starting with the side where the malignancy is located. If the cancer is centrally located, a bilateral lymphadenectomy may be performed.
  • Step 6: Closure After the excision and any necessary lymphadenectomy, the surgical site is carefully closed, ensuring proper healing and minimizing complications.

3. Post-Procedure

Following a radical partial vulvectomy, patients may require specific post-operative care to ensure proper recovery. This includes monitoring for any signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring that the surgical site heals appropriately. Patients may also need follow-up appointments to assess healing and to discuss any further treatment options, such as radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the pathology results and the extent of the disease. It is essential for patients to adhere to their physician's post-operative instructions to facilitate optimal recovery and to address any complications that may arise during the healing process.

Short Descr VULVECTOMY RADICAL PARTIAL
Medium Descr VULVECTOMY RADICAL PARTIAL
Long Descr Vulvectomy, radical, 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) 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 132 - Other OR therapeutic procedures, female organs

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

38900 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intraoperative identification (eg, mapping) of sentinel lymph node(s) includes injection of non-radioactive dye, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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.
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 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).
AG Primary physician
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
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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Notes
2025-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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