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Official Description

Excision of vaginal cyst or tumor

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 57135 refers to the excision of a vaginal cyst or tumor, a surgical procedure performed by a physician. This procedure involves the removal of cystic lesions or tumors located within the vaginal mucosa. Cystic lesions may arise from various causes, including inclusion cysts, which are often the result of trauma to the vaginal wall, as well as Gartner's duct cysts, which are developmental anomalies. Additionally, the term 'tumors' encompasses both benign and malignant neoplasms that may develop in the vaginal area. During the procedure, the physician makes an incision directly over the cystic lesion or tumor, allowing for its excision. The excised tissue is typically sent to a laboratory for pathological examination to determine the nature of the lesion. In cases where a tumor is being removed, the physician ensures that a margin of healthy tissue is also excised to minimize the risk of residual disease. After the excision, the incision is closed using sutures, completing the procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The excision of a vaginal cyst or tumor, as indicated by CPT® Code 57135, is performed for various reasons related to the presence of cystic lesions or tumors in the vaginal area. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Inclusion Cysts - These cysts may develop due to trauma to the vaginal wall, leading to the accumulation of fluid within the tissue.
  • Gartner's Duct Cysts - These are developmental cysts that can occur in the vaginal area, often requiring excision if symptomatic or causing discomfort.
  • Benign Tumors - Non-cancerous growths in the vaginal region that may need to be removed for symptomatic relief or to prevent complications.
  • Malignant Tumors - Cancerous lesions that necessitate excision to remove the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue to ensure complete removal and prevent metastasis.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excising a vaginal cyst or tumor involves several key steps, each critical to ensuring the successful removal of the lesion:

  • Step 1: Preparation - The patient is positioned appropriately, and the surgical area is prepared and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection. Anesthesia may be administered to ensure the patient's comfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Incision - The physician makes a precise incision in the vaginal mucosa directly over the identified cystic lesion or tumor. This incision allows for direct access to the affected area.
  • Step 3: Excision - The cyst or tumor is carefully excised from the surrounding tissue. If a tumor is being removed, the physician ensures that a margin of healthy tissue is included in the excision to reduce the likelihood of residual disease.
  • Step 4: Pathology Examination - The excised tissue is sent to a laboratory for pathological examination. This step is crucial for determining the nature of the lesion, whether benign or malignant.
  • Step 5: Closure - After the excision is complete, the incision site is closed using sutures. This step is essential for proper healing and to minimize scarring.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the excision of a vaginal cyst or tumor, patients may require specific post-procedure care to ensure optimal recovery. This may include monitoring for any signs of infection at the incision site, managing pain with prescribed medications, and following up with the physician to discuss pathology results. Patients are typically advised to avoid strenuous activities and sexual intercourse for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Additionally, any specific instructions provided by the physician regarding wound care and follow-up appointments should be closely adhered to for a successful recovery.

Short Descr EXCISION VAGINAL CYST/TUMOR
Medium Descr EXCISION VAGINAL CYST/TUMOR
Long Descr Excision of vaginal cyst or tumor
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) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 2
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.
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.
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.)
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PT Colorectal cancer screening test; converted to diagnostic test or other procedure
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
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2025-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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