2025 CPT code 59871
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures for Maternity Care and Delivery Surgery Feed
Removal of a cerclage suture under anesthesia (other than local).
Modifier 22 (Increased Procedural Services) may be applied if the procedure is performed via an abdominal approach due to increased complexity or if other significant modifications are required. Modifier 59 (Distinct Procedural Service) may apply if it's distinct from other services performed on the same day, but documentation must support its use.
Medical necessity is established by the need to remove the cerclage suture to prevent potential complications such as infection or cervical trauma.The timing of removal is typically guided by gestational age and clinical status.
The physician's responsibility includes patient positioning (dorsal lithotomy), anesthesia administration, cervical exposure using retractors and speculum, suture removal, hemostasis, and closure of the cervical mucosa.
In simple words: The doctor removes stitches that were previously placed on the cervix to keep it closed during pregnancy. This is usually done vaginally with the patient asleep under general anesthesia.Sometimes, if the stitches are hard to reach, the doctor may need to make an incision in the abdomen to remove them.
This CPT code, 59871, describes the surgical removal of a cerclage suture.The procedure typically involves a vaginal approach, with the patient under general anesthesia.The physician will expose the cervix, elevate the suture (which may be embedded in the cervical mucosa), cut the knot, and gently remove the suture line.The cervical mucosa is then closed, and bleeding is checked.An abdominal approach may be necessary in certain cases, requiring additional documentation and potentially modifier 22 (Increased Procedural Services).
Example 1: A patient presents for cerclage suture removal at 37 weeks gestation. The procedure is performed vaginally under general anesthesia without complications., A patient requires cerclage suture removal due to premature rupture of membranes at 34 weeks.The procedure is straightforward and performed vaginally., A patient needs cerclage removal, but the suture is embedded deeply in the cervical mucosa.An abdominal approach is necessary, and modifier 22 is applied due to increased procedural complexity.
Complete patient history, including reason for cerclage placement and gestational age.Detailed operative report describing the approach (vaginal or abdominal), techniques used, and any complications encountered.Documentation supporting the medical necessity of the procedure.
** If the cerclage removal is performed by a different physician than the one who placed it, this would typically be considered a separately billable service.Always refer to payer-specific guidelines for complete reimbursement details.
- Revenue Code: P5E (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - OTHER)
- RVU: Information not available in provided text.RVUs vary by location and payer.
- Global Days : Information not available in provided text.The global period is not specified for this code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This is a surgical procedure, not a technical component.
- Fee Schedule : Information not available in provided text.Fee schedules are payer and location-specific.
- Specialties:Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center