2025 CPT code 50572
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Urinary System Feed
Renal endoscopy through nephrotomy or pyelotomy, with ureteral catheterization, with or without dilation of ureter.
Modifiers 22, 50, 51, 52, 53, 58, 59, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 99, LT, RT, and X{E,P,S,U} may be applicable.
Medical necessity for this procedure must be supported by documentation of symptoms, imaging findings, or other evidence of a condition requiring endoscopic examination and/or ureteral catheterization and dilation.
When the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized, the provider makes an incision in the skin over the kidney or renal pelvis. The provider then inserts an endoscope, which is a small, bendable tube with a fastened optical system, into the kidney through the incision. She analyzes the structures of the renal collecting system. For better visual perception, the provider may add sterile saline solution into the area of the renal collecting system. The provider may instill some other therapeutic solutions into the kidney or may use contrast material for separately reportable radiologic examination of the ureter and renal pelvis. Once examination is completed, the provider places a hollow or flexible catheter tube and moves the tube forward into the ureter through the fiberoptic scope to analyze any narrowing in the ureter. If narrowing is there, the provider may place a balloon catheter for widening the ureter. Once dilation is completed, the provider removes the endoscope. The provider then places a drainage tube for temporary urine flow through a separate pierce incision and closes the skin incision with sutures.
In simple words: A small tube with a camera is inserted into the kidney through a small incision to examine the kidney, renal pelvis, and ureter. A catheter is then placed into the ureter, and the ureter may be widened.
The provider inserts an endoscope after creating an opening between the collecting system of the kidney and the exterior of the body or between the renal pelvis and the exterior of the body. She examines the kidney, renal pelvis, and ureter.A catheter is placed into the ureter, and the ureter may be dilated.
Example 1: A patient presents with flank pain and hematuria. Imaging reveals a suspected ureteral stricture. The provider performs a nephrostomy and inserts an endoscope to examine the kidney, renal pelvis, and ureter. A ureteral catheter is placed, and the stricture is dilated., A patient with a history of kidney stones experiences recurrent infections. A pyelotomy is performed, and a renal endoscope is inserted to examine the collecting system. A ureteral catheter is placed to facilitate drainage and assess for any obstructions., A patient undergoes a renal endoscopy through a nephrotomy. The provider examines the kidney and renal pelvis, and a ureteral catheter is inserted without dilation to aid in post-operative drainage.
Documentation should include the reason for the procedure, the approach (nephrotomy or pyelotomy), findings during the endoscopy, whether dilation was performed, and any complications.
- Revenue Code: P8I
- Specialties:Urology, Nephrology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center