2025 CPT code 38770
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Hemic and Lymphatic Systems Feed
Pelvic lymphadenectomy, including external iliac, hypogastric, and obturator nodes (separate procedure).
Modifiers such as 50 (bilateral procedure), 59 (distinct procedural service), XE, XP, XS, and XU may be applicable, depending on the specific circumstances and payer guidelines.
Medical necessity for 38770 must be supported by documentation of a diagnosis that requires removal of pelvic lymph nodes, such as cancer.
The surgeon is responsible for the complete procedure, from prepping and anesthetizing the patient to making the incision, excising the lymph nodes, ensuring hemostasis, and closing the incision.
In simple words: The surgeon removes lymph nodes in the pelvis, including those near the external iliac, hypogastric, and obturator blood vessels. This is often done to treat cancer in the lower belly.
The provider surgically excises the lymph nodes in the pelvic area, including the external iliac, hypogastric, and obturator nodes. This procedure is commonly performed for cancer in the lower abdomen.The provider makes an incision in the lower abdomen, explores the pelvis, and excises the specified lymph nodes and any other involved tissues. In cases of extensive metastatic cancer, it may be necessary to remove all of the lymph nodes in the area of the disease. The provider ensures hemostasis and closes the incision in layers.
Example 1: A patient with uterine cancer undergoes a pelvic lymphadenectomy to determine the extent of cancer spread., A patient with prostate cancer undergoes a pelvic lymphadenectomy as part of their cancer treatment., A patient with bladder cancer undergoes a pelvic lymphadenectomy to stage the cancer and guide further treatment.
Documentation should include the operative report detailing the extent of the lymphadenectomy, the specific lymph nodes removed, any complications encountered, and the reason for the procedure.
** For limited pelvic and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomies, consider codes 38562 and 38564.
- Revenue Code: P1G
- Specialties:Surgical oncology, urology, gynecologic oncology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center