2025 CPT code 57156
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Female Genital System Surgery Feed
Insertion of a vaginal radiation afterloading apparatus for clinical brachytherapy.
Modifiers may apply depending on circumstances; for example, modifier 58 (staged or related procedure) could be used if this procedure is performed as part of a larger surgical plan.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a malignancy in the vagina or cervix requiring brachytherapy treatment.Documentation should support the diagnosis and justify the need for brachytherapy as a component of the treatment plan.
The provider places the patient, performs a pelvic exam, inserts catheters, dilates the vagina, prepares and inserts the vaginal cylinder, takes x-rays to confirm placement, and prepares the patient for transfer to the radiation suite for the brachytherapy procedure.
In simple words: The doctor inserts a device into the vagina to hold radioactive material. This is done before radiation treatment to ensure the radiation is delivered accurately.
This procedure involves the placement of a vaginal cylinder device designed to hold radioactive material.The provider positions the patient in lithotomy, performs a pelvic exam, inserts a Foley catheter and rectal tube.The vagina is dilated, adhesions are released (if present), and the appropriately sized vaginal cylinder is assembled and inserted.X-rays confirm placement before the patient is transferred to the radiation suite for brachytherapy (a separately reportable procedure).
Example 1: A patient post-hysterectomy for cervical cancer requires brachytherapy. The procedure involves placement of a vaginal cylinder for subsequent HDR brachytherapy., A patient with vaginal cancer undergoes placement of a vaginal cylinder for low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy to target the tumor., A patient with recurrent vaginal cancer after previous treatment requires brachytherapy; the procedure involves fitting and placing a vaginal afterloading device for HDR brachytherapy.
Complete pelvic examination notes, details of vaginal dilation, description of the device used (size, type), x-ray images confirming placement, and documentation of the transfer to the radiation therapy suite.Pre-operative and post-operative notes are required.
** The removal of the vaginal device is included in the payment for its placement. Brachytherapy using this device is almost always performed after a hysterectomy for cancer.
- Revenue Code: P7A (ONCOLOGY - RADIATION THERAPY)
- RVU: Information not available in source.
- Global Days: Information not available in source.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Information not available in source.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in source.
- Specialties:Gynecologic Oncology, Radiation Oncology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center