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Official Description

Vaginectomy, complete removal of vaginal wall;

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 57110 refers to a surgical procedure known as a complete vaginectomy, which involves the total removal of the vaginal wall. This procedure is performed without the excision of the surrounding paravaginal tissue, also known as the paracolpium. The surgical approach begins with an incision made across the top of the vaginal vault, which is the uppermost part of the vagina. Following this initial incision, two longitudinal full-thickness incisions are created: one along the ventral (anterior) aspect and another along the dorsal (posterior) aspect of the vaginal wall. These incisions extend from the top of the vaginal vault down to the introitus, which is the opening of the vagina. Additionally, an incision is made around the introitus itself. After these incisions are completed, the right and left halves of the vaginal wall are excised, resulting in the complete removal of the vaginal wall. It is important to note that this procedure is distinct from a radical vaginectomy, which involves the removal of both the vaginal wall and the surrounding paravaginal tissue, as described in CPT® Code 57111. In cases where vaginal reconstruction is necessary, such as the use of skin grafts, this may be reported separately and can occur during the same surgical session or at a later date.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure coded as CPT® 57110 is indicated for various medical conditions that necessitate the complete removal of the vaginal wall. These indications may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Vaginal malignancies - The presence of cancerous growths within the vaginal wall that require surgical intervention for removal.
  • Severe vaginal trauma - Significant injury to the vaginal wall that cannot be repaired or reconstructed effectively.
  • Chronic infections - Persistent infections that have not responded to conservative treatments and may compromise the integrity of the vaginal wall.
  • Congenital anomalies - Birth defects affecting the structure of the vagina that necessitate surgical correction.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® 57110 involves several critical steps to ensure the complete removal of the vaginal wall. The following outlines the procedural steps in detail:

  • Step 1: Initial incision - The surgeon begins by making an incision across the top of the vaginal vault. This incision serves as the entry point for the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 2: Longitudinal incisions - Following the initial incision, two longitudinal full-thickness incisions are created. One incision is made along the ventral (anterior) aspect of the vaginal wall, while the other is made along the dorsal (posterior) aspect. These incisions extend from the top of the vaginal vault down to the introitus, which is the vaginal opening.
  • Step 3: Incision around the introitus - An additional incision is made around the introitus to facilitate the complete removal of the vaginal wall.
  • Step 4: Excision of vaginal wall - The surgeon then excises the right and left halves of the vaginal wall, ensuring that the entire vaginal wall is removed while preserving the surrounding paravaginal tissue.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the vaginectomy procedure, post-operative care is essential for optimal recovery. Patients may experience discomfort and will require appropriate pain management. Monitoring for any signs of infection or complications is crucial during the recovery period. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and to discuss any further treatment options, including potential vaginal reconstruction, which may involve the use of skin grafts. These reconstructive procedures can be performed during the same surgical session or at a later date, depending on the patient's condition and surgical plan.

Short Descr VAGNC COMPL RMVL VAG WALL
Medium Descr VAGINECTOMY COMPLETE REMOVAL VAGINAL WALL
Long Descr Vaginectomy, complete removal of vaginal wall;
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
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
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.
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).
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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2025-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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