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Official Description

Oophorectomy, partial or total, unilateral or bilateral;

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Oophorectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of one or both ovaries, which may be performed for various medical reasons, including the presence of disease, ovarian malignancy, or as a preventive measure in patients with breast cancer or those at high risk for developing ovarian cancer. The procedure is categorized under CPT® Code 58940, which encompasses both partial and total oophorectomy, whether unilateral (one ovary) or bilateral (both ovaries). During the operation, an incision is made in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen to access the ovaries. The surgical team carefully clears the subcutaneous fat and incises the anterior rectus fascia to gain access to the underlying structures. The rectus muscles are retracted to expose the transversalis fascia and peritoneum, allowing for a thorough inspection of the ovary, uterus, fallopian tubes, and the contralateral ovary. The ovarian ligament is identified, ligated, and divided, facilitating the dissection and excision of part or all of the ovary from the surrounding tissue. If necessary, the procedure may be repeated on the opposite side. This detailed approach ensures that the surgical team can effectively address the underlying conditions necessitating the oophorectomy while minimizing complications and promoting patient safety.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Oophorectomy may be indicated for the following conditions:

  • Disease or Ovarian Malignancy Removal of the ovary may be necessary due to the presence of cancerous growths or other significant diseases affecting the ovarian tissue.
  • Prophylactic Measure In patients with breast cancer or those identified as being at high risk for developing ovarian cancer, oophorectomy may be performed as a preventive strategy to reduce the likelihood of cancer development.

2. Procedure

The oophorectomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure the safe and effective removal of the ovaries. The process begins with the creation of an incision in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen, allowing access to the underlying structures. Following this, the surgeon clears the subcutaneous fat and incises the anterior rectus fascia. The rectus muscles are then retracted to expose the transversalis fascia and peritoneum, which are also incised to provide a clear view of the reproductive organs. Once the ovary is exposed, it is carefully inspected alongside the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the contralateral ovary to assess for any abnormalities or additional concerns.

Next, the ovarian ligament is identified, ligated, and divided, which facilitates the dissection of the ovary from the surrounding tissue. Depending on the clinical situation, either part or the entire ovary may be excised. If a bilateral oophorectomy is indicated, the procedure is repeated on the opposite side. Throughout the operation, meticulous attention is paid to control bleeding and ensure the integrity of surrounding structures.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the oophorectomy, the abdomen is closed in layers to promote proper healing. Post-procedure care typically includes monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Patients may experience pain and discomfort, which can be managed with appropriate analgesics. Recovery time may vary depending on the extent of the surgery and the individual patient's health status. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and address any concerns that may arise during the recovery period.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF OVARY(S)
Medium Descr OOPHORECTOMY PARTIAL/TOTAL UNI/BI
Long Descr Oophorectomy, partial or total, unilateral or bilateral;
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) 2 - 150% payment adjustment 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 119 - Oophorectomy, unilateral and bilateral

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

96547 Add On Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure, including separate incision(s) and closure, when performed; first 60 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
96548 Add On Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure, including separate incision(s) and closure, when performed; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
AT Acute treatment (this modifier should be used when reporting service 98940, 98941, 98942)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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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2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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