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The procedure described by CPT® Code 56740 involves the excision of a Bartholin's gland or cyst, which is a surgical intervention performed by a physician. Bartholin's glands are two small glands located bilaterally at the posterior introitus, which is the opening of the vagina. These glands play a role in lubrication by secreting fluid through ducts that open into the vestibule of the vagina. When a Bartholin's gland becomes obstructed, it can lead to the formation of a cyst, which may cause discomfort or pain. The excision procedure begins with an incision made in the skin over the gland's opening, allowing the physician to expose the wall of the gland or cyst. During the surgery, any adhesions that may have formed between the cyst or gland wall and the vaginal mucosa are carefully lysed to facilitate the excision. The physician then uses forceps to grasp and retract the wall of the cyst, which aids in identifying and controlling any blood vessels present. The entire gland or cyst, along with its duct and surrounding tissue, is excised to ensure complete removal. To manage bleeding during the procedure, techniques such as electrocoagulation and suture ligation of blood vessels are employed. Finally, the surgical site is closed, and a drain may be placed in the wound to prevent fluid accumulation and promote healing.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The excision of a Bartholin's gland or cyst is indicated for several specific conditions that may arise due to dysfunction or obstruction of the gland. These indications include:
The procedure for excising a Bartholin's gland or cyst involves several critical steps to ensure effective removal and minimize complications. The steps are as follows:
Post-procedure care following the excision of a Bartholin's gland or cyst is essential for recovery and includes monitoring for any signs of infection or complications. Patients are typically advised to keep the surgical area clean and dry, and to follow any specific instructions provided by the physician regarding wound care. Pain management may be necessary, and over-the-counter analgesics can be recommended. The physician may schedule a follow-up appointment to assess healing and remove the drain if one was placed. Patients should be informed to report any unusual symptoms, such as increased pain, swelling, or discharge, as these may indicate complications that require further evaluation.
| Short Descr | EXC BARTHOLINS GLAND/CYST | Medium Descr | EXCISION BARTHOLINS GLAND OR CYST | Long Descr | Excision of Bartholin's gland or cyst | 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) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory 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) | P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 132 - Other OR therapeutic procedures, female organs |
| 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. | 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). | 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. | 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) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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