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Official Description

Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; paracervical (uterine) nerve

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The paracervical nerve block is a medical procedure designed to alleviate pain during the first stage of labor. This technique involves the administration of anesthetic agents and/or steroids to the paracervical nerves, which are located near the cervix. The procedure is performed using a specialized 18.5-cm needle equipped with a security tip, ensuring safe and precise delivery of the medication. The needle is inserted transvaginally, which means it is advanced through the vaginal canal, reaching just deep to the lateral fornices of the vagina and into the broad ligament. This careful placement is crucial to avoid blood vessels, which is confirmed by aspirating the needle before injecting the anesthetic. The injection is administered at multiple sites along the broad ligament to maximize pain relief. After completing the injection on one side, the procedure is mirrored on the opposite side to ensure balanced analgesia. This method is particularly beneficial for women in labor, as it can significantly reduce discomfort and enhance the overall childbirth experience.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The paracervical nerve block is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Pain during labor The primary indication for this procedure is to provide pain relief during the first stage of labor, helping to manage the discomfort associated with uterine contractions.

2. Procedure

The procedure for administering a paracervical nerve block involves several critical steps to ensure effective pain relief.

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned comfortably, typically in a lithotomy position, to facilitate access to the vaginal canal. The area is cleaned and prepared to maintain a sterile environment, reducing the risk of infection during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Needle Insertion An 18.5-cm needle with a security tip is carefully inserted transvaginally. The needle is advanced just deep to the lateral fornices of the vagina, which are the recesses formed by the vaginal walls around the cervix. This precise placement is essential for targeting the paracervical nerves effectively.
  • Step 3: Aspiration Once the needle is in position, the clinician aspirates the syringe to check for blood return. This step is crucial as it confirms that the needle is not within a blood vessel, ensuring the safety of the injection.
  • Step 4: Injection After confirming proper placement, the anesthetic agent and/or steroid is injected at various sites along the broad ligament. This multi-site injection approach helps to provide comprehensive pain relief by affecting multiple nerve pathways.
  • Step 5: Repeat on Opposite Side The procedure is then repeated on the opposite side to ensure balanced analgesia, providing pain relief on both sides of the cervix.

3. Post-Procedure

After the paracervical nerve block is performed, the patient is monitored for any immediate side effects or complications. It is important to observe the patient for signs of adequate pain relief as well as any adverse reactions to the anesthetic or steroid used. Patients may experience temporary numbness or tingling in the pelvic area, which is generally expected. The healthcare provider will provide instructions regarding any post-procedure care, including monitoring for potential side effects and when to seek further medical attention. Recovery from the procedure is typically quick, allowing the patient to continue with labor while experiencing reduced pain.

Short Descr NJX AA&/STRD PARACRV NRV
Medium Descr INJECTION AA&/STRD PARACERVICAL NERVE
Long Descr Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; paracervical (uterine) nerve
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or 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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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 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) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 8 - Other non-OR or closed therapeutic nervous system procedures

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

77002 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device) (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.
47 Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
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.)
AG Primary physician
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
FP Service provided as part of family planning program
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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)
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
2020-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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