Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
RedactPHI
HIPAA-Compliant PHI Redaction
DetectICD10CM
ICD-10-CM Code Detection
Log in Register free account
1 code page views remaining. Guest accounts are limited to 1 page view. Register free account to get 5 more views.
Log in Register free account

Official Description

Biopsy of vaginal mucosa; extensive, requiring suture (including cysts)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 57105 refers to a procedure known as a biopsy of the vaginal mucosa that is extensive in nature and requires suture closure, including the biopsy of cystic lesions. This procedure is performed by a physician who begins by cleansing the skin and administering a local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort during the biopsy. Unlike a simpler biopsy, which is coded under CPT® 57100, the extensive biopsy represented by CPT® 57105 involves a more significant surgical intervention. In this case, the physician makes an incision in the vaginal mucosa at the site of the lesion, which may include cystic formations such as inclusion cysts, Gartner's duct cysts, or benign cystic tumors. The procedure entails the removal of a large section of abnormal tissue, which is then sent to a laboratory for pathology examination to assess the nature of the tissue. Following the biopsy, the incision is closed with sutures, indicating the complexity and extent of the procedure compared to simpler biopsy methods.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure coded under CPT® 57105 is indicated for various conditions affecting the vaginal mucosa, particularly when extensive biopsy is necessary. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:

  • Cystic Lesions - The presence of cystic lesions such as inclusion cysts, which may arise due to trauma to the vaginal wall, Gartner's duct cysts, or benign cystic tumors necessitates an extensive biopsy to evaluate the underlying tissue.
  • Abnormal Tissue - Any abnormal tissue found in the vaginal mucosa that requires further investigation through biopsy to determine its nature and potential pathology.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® 57105 involves several critical steps that ensure the effective removal of tissue for diagnostic purposes. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation - The physician begins by preparing the patient for the procedure. This includes cleansing the vaginal area to minimize the risk of infection and ensuring a sterile environment. A local anesthetic is then injected to numb the area, providing comfort during the biopsy.
  • Step 2: Incision - Once the area is adequately anesthetized, the physician makes an incision in the vaginal mucosa at the site of the cystic or other identified lesions. This incision is carefully planned to allow for the removal of a large section of the abnormal tissue.
  • Step 3: Tissue Removal - The physician excises a substantial portion of the abnormal tissue, which may include cystic lesions. This tissue is collected and sent to a laboratory for pathology examination, where it will be analyzed to determine the presence of any disease or abnormality.
  • Step 4: Closure - After the tissue has been removed, the incision site is closed using sutures. This step is crucial as it helps to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications such as infection or excessive bleeding.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the biopsy procedure coded under CPT® 57105, the patient may require specific post-procedure care to ensure proper healing and monitor for any complications. Patients are typically advised to follow up with their physician to discuss the results of the pathology examination. Additionally, they may be instructed to avoid certain activities, such as sexual intercourse or the use of tampons, for a specified period to allow the incision site to heal properly. Monitoring for signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, or discharge, is also essential, and patients should be informed to report any concerning symptoms to their healthcare provider promptly.

Short Descr BIOPSY VAGINAL MUCOSA XTNSV
Medium Descr BIOPSY VAGINAL MUCOSA EXTENSIVE
Long Descr Biopsy of vaginal mucosa; extensive, requiring suture (including cysts)
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) 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 2
CCS Clinical Classification 130 - Other diagnostic procedures, female organs
47 Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures.
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).
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).
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
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.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"