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Official Description

Colposcopy of the cervix including upper/adjacent vagina; with endocervical curettage

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 57456 involves a colposcopy of the cervix and the upper adjacent vagina, which is a diagnostic examination aimed at identifying abnormal tissue. A colposcope, a specialized instrument resembling binoculars mounted on a stand with an integrated light source, is utilized to magnify the view of the cervix and surrounding areas. This enhanced visualization is crucial for detecting any irregularities or lesions that may indicate potential health issues. During the procedure, a speculum is inserted into the vagina to facilitate access and visibility of the cervix and upper adjacent vaginal wall. The examination is conducted under varying magnifications, typically two or three, to ensure a thorough assessment of the tissue. To improve the identification of abnormal cells, acetic acid is applied to the cervix, which highlights areas of concern. Following this, different-colored filters are employed to observe blood vessels and any atypical patterns that may suggest pathology. An iodine solution is then used to stain the cells, with normal cells exhibiting a dark-brown color due to the presence of glycogen. Areas that do not take up the stain, along with those previously noted for abnormal blood vessel patterns, are targeted for biopsy. Additionally, an endocervical curettage (ECC) may be performed if necessary, which involves scraping the cervical canal with a curet to collect tissue samples for further analysis. This comprehensive approach allows for accurate diagnosis and management of cervical and vaginal conditions.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Abnormal Pap Smear Results - When cervical screening tests indicate the presence of atypical cells, further investigation is warranted.
  • Visible Lesions - If there are observable abnormalities on the cervix or upper adjacent vagina during a routine examination, a colposcopy is performed to assess these areas more closely.
  • History of Cervical Dysplasia - Patients with a previous diagnosis of cervical dysplasia may require colposcopy for monitoring and management.
  • Persistent HPV Infection - In cases where high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types are detected, colposcopy is indicated to evaluate potential precancerous changes.

2. Procedure

The procedure consists of several key steps that ensure a thorough examination of the cervix and upper adjacent vagina:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned comfortably, and a speculum is inserted into the vagina to allow access to the cervix. This step is crucial for providing a clear view of the area being examined.
  • Step 2: Application of Acetic Acid Acetic acid is applied to the cervix, which helps to highlight abnormal cells by causing them to appear white. This contrast is essential for identifying areas that may require further investigation.
  • Step 3: Visualization with Filters Different-colored filters are used to enhance the visualization of blood vessels. This step allows the physician to detect any abnormal blood vessel patterns that may indicate underlying pathology.
  • Step 4: Iodine Staining An iodine solution is then applied to the cervix. Normal cells will stain a dark-brown color due to the presence of glycogen, while areas that do not stain are noted for potential biopsy.
  • Step 5: Biopsy and ECC Any areas that appear abnormal, including those that do not take up the iodine stain, are biopsied. If necessary, an endocervical curettage (ECC) is performed by scraping the cervical canal with a curet to collect additional tissue samples for analysis.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients may experience some mild discomfort or spotting. It is important for the physician to provide post-procedure care instructions, which may include avoiding sexual intercourse, tampons, and douching for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Patients should also be informed about potential signs of complications, such as heavy bleeding or severe pain, and advised to follow up for results of any biopsies taken during the procedure. Regular follow-up appointments may be necessary to monitor the patient's condition and ensure appropriate management of any identified abnormalities.

Short Descr ENDOCERV CURETTAGE W/SCOPE
Medium Descr COLPOSCOPY CERVIX ENDOCERVICAL CURETTAGE
Long Descr Colposcopy of the cervix including upper/adjacent vagina; with endocervical curettage
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic 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.
Endoscopic Base Code 57452  Colposcopy of the cervix including upper/adjacent vagina;
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 130 - Other diagnostic procedures, female organs

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

57465 Female Edit Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Computer-aided mapping of cervix uteri during colposcopy, including optical dynamic spectral imaging and algorithmic quantification of the acetowhitening effect (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
58110 Female Edit Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Endometrial sampling (biopsy) performed in conjunction with colposcopy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
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).
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).
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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
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
2003-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2003.
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