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Official Description

Pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancy, with total abdominal hysterectomy or cervicectomy, with or without removal of tube(s), with or without removal of ovary(s), with removal of bladder and ureteral transplantations, and/or abdominoperineal resection of rectum and colon and colostomy, or any combination thereof

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 58240 refers to a complex surgical procedure known as pelvic exenteration, which is performed for patients diagnosed with gynecologic malignancies. This extensive operation involves the removal of various pelvic organs and structures, including a total abdominal hysterectomy or cervicectomy, which may be accompanied by the removal of the fallopian tubes and/or ovaries. Additionally, the procedure may include the excision of the bladder along with ureteral transplantations, and/or an abdominoperineal resection of the rectum and colon, potentially resulting in a colostomy. The procedure is characterized by a thorough exploration of the abdominal cavity, where the physician inspects critical structures such as the liver, peritoneum, bowel, and lymph nodes for any signs of malignancy. Biopsies may be taken to assess the extent of disease. The surgical approach involves meticulous dissection and ligation of various ligaments and vessels, ensuring that all affected organs are removed while preserving healthy tissue margins. The reconstruction of the pelvic area is also a significant aspect of this procedure, utilizing various techniques to restore function and anatomy post-surgery. Overall, CPT® Code 58240 encapsulates a highly intricate and multi-faceted surgical intervention aimed at treating advanced gynecologic cancers.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The pelvic exenteration procedure coded as CPT® 58240 is indicated for patients diagnosed with gynecologic malignancies. The specific indications for this extensive surgical intervention include:

  • Gynecologic Malignancy: The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of cancerous tumors within the female reproductive organs, necessitating the removal of affected structures to manage the disease effectively.
  • Advanced Disease Stage: Pelvic exenteration is typically indicated in cases where the malignancy has progressed to a stage that involves multiple pelvic organs, requiring a comprehensive surgical approach to achieve optimal outcomes.
  • Involvement of Adjacent Organs: The procedure may be indicated when the cancer has spread to adjacent organs such as the bladder, rectum, or colon, necessitating their removal to ensure complete excision of the malignancy.

2. Procedure

The surgical steps involved in CPT® Code 58240 are as follows:

  • Step 1: The procedure begins with the opening and exploration of the abdomen. The surgeon carefully inspects the liver, peritoneum, bowel, and both aortic and pelvic lymph nodes for any signs of malignancy. Biopsies are taken as necessary to assess the extent of the disease.
  • Step 2: The pararectal, paravesical, and Retzius spaces are opened to gain access to the pelvic structures. The cardinal ligaments are exposed, and the round ligaments are cut and tied to facilitate further dissection.
  • Step 3: The broad ligaments are opened, and the infundibulopelvic ligaments, along with the ovarian vessels, are clamped, cut, and tied to remove the ovaries and tubes if indicated.
  • Step 4: The retroperitoneal space is accessed, and the ureters are exposed. The hypogastric artery is identified and divided to allow for the removal of the bladder and ureters.
  • Step 5: The cardinal ligaments are divided, and the ureters are carefully dissected free from surrounding tissue, ligated, and divided to facilitate their removal.
  • Step 6: The rectal space between the rectosigmoid colon and the sacrum/coccyx is developed, and the sigmoid arcade along with the superior vessels are ligated. The rectosigmoid colon is then divided.
  • Step 7: The rectum is elevated and freed from surrounding tissues, while the bladder is detached from the pubic symphysis. The urethra, rectum, and vagina are divided below the level of the malignancy, ensuring adequate margins of healthy tissue are preserved.
  • Step 8: All involved pelvic organs, including the ovaries, tubes, uterus, cervix, bladder, distal ureters, rectum, and colon, are removed. Following the excision, the rectum and colon are either anastomosed or a colostomy is performed.
  • Step 9: The proximal ureters are transplanted to provide urinary diversion. If a noncontinent diversion is employed, an ileal urinary conduit may be created by implanting the ureters into a segment of small bowel that is then brought out in a cutaneous stoma. Alternatively, a continent pouch using the right colon may be developed.
  • Step 10: Finally, the exenterated pelvis is reconstructed using omental, myocutaneous, and/or muscle flaps to restore pelvic anatomy and function.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a pelvic exenteration involves careful monitoring of the patient for any complications related to the extensive surgery. Patients can expect a significant recovery period due to the complexity of the procedure. Pain management, wound care, and monitoring for signs of infection are critical components of post-operative care. Additionally, patients may require support for urinary and bowel function, especially if a colostomy or urinary diversion has been performed. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing, manage any complications, and monitor for potential recurrence of malignancy. Rehabilitation services may also be beneficial to assist patients in adjusting to changes in bodily function and to support their overall recovery process.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF PELVIS CONTENTS
Medium Descr PEL EXNTJ GYNECOLOGIC MAL
Long Descr Pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancy, with total abdominal hysterectomy or cervicectomy, with or without removal of tube(s), with or without removal of ovary(s), with removal of bladder and ureteral transplantations, and/or abdominoperineal resection of rectum and colon and colostomy, or any combination thereof
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 124 - Hysterectomy, abdominal and vaginal
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.
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.
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.)
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).
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
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