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2025 CPT code 54430

Creation of a shunt between the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum to relieve priapism.

Refer to the most current CPT guidelines for coding this procedure.Appropriate modifiers should be used to reflect the extent of the procedure (unilateral vs. bilateral).

Modifiers 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), and 59 (distinct procedural service) may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the case.

Priapism is a urologic emergency requiring prompt intervention to prevent long-term complications such as erectile dysfunction.The creation of a shunt is medically necessary to relieve the pressure and pain associated with priapism and restore normal penile function.

The surgeon performs the procedure after proper patient preparation and anesthesia. The surgeon creates the shunt by making an incision, dissecting through tissue, and suturing to create the connection.

IMPORTANT:For other urethroplasties, see codes 53400-53430. For penile revascularization, use code 37788.

In simple words: The doctor creates a connection between two areas inside the penis to relieve a long-lasting, painful erection (priapism).This helps blood flow more freely, ending the erection and the pain.

This procedure involves surgically creating a passage (shunt) between the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum of the penis.This is performed to alleviate priapism, a persistent and painful erection. The surgeon makes an incision at the base of the penis, dissects through the fibrous tissue connecting the corpora cavernosa to the corpus spongiosum, and then sutures the created passage to allow free blood flow between these areas, thus resolving the erection and associated pain. The procedure can be performed unilaterally or bilaterally.

Example 1: A 35-year-old male presents with a painful, persistent erection (priapism) lasting over 4 hours.A shunt is created between the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum to relieve the pressure and pain., A 28-year-old male with sickle cell anemia experiences priapism. Bilateral shunts are created to ensure adequate blood flow and relieve the painful erection., A 40-year-old male with a history of trauma to the penis develops priapism.A unilateral shunt is created to alleviate the erection.

Detailed history of present illness, including duration of priapism and associated symptoms.Preoperative assessment (including physical exam and possibly lab work). Operative report detailing the procedure performed (unilateral or bilateral), including incision site, dissection details, and suture placement. Postoperative management and follow-up notes.

** The depth of the shunt creation and the method of creating the shunt (scalpel vs. biopsy needle/punch) may influence coding, but the provided source does not give specifics on this.

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