2025 CPT code 50080
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Urinary System Surgery Feed
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or pyelolithotomy for simple kidney stones (up to 2 cm).
Modifiers 50 (bilateral procedure) and others as clinically indicated. Refer to CPT guidelines for modifier usage.
Medical necessity is established by documentation of symptomatic kidney stones (e.g., pain, obstruction, infection) that are not amenable to conservative management.Imaging studies should confirm the presence and size of the stones.
The physician performs a percutaneous antegrade approach to remove kidney stones. This involves creating a small access point through the skin, using imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or ultrasound), and employing endoscopic instruments to break and remove stones.Stent and nephrostomy tube placement are included if performed.
In simple words: This code describes a minimally invasive procedure to remove kidney stones. A small tube is inserted through the skin to reach the kidney, where stones are broken up and removed.A stent or tube might be left in place to help drainage.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or pyelolithotomy, lithotripsy, stone extraction, antegrade ureteroscopy, antegrade stent placement, and nephrostomy tube placement (when performed), including imaging guidance; simple (e.g., stone(s) up to 2 cm in a single location of the kidney or renal pelvis, nonbranching stones).
Example 1: A 45-year-old male presents with a single, 1.5 cm kidney stone causing significant flank pain.Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is performed using a nephroscope to fragment and extract the stone. A nephrostomy tube is placed for drainage., A 60-year-old female with two small, non-branching stones (each less than 2 cm) in the renal pelvis undergoes percutaneous pyelolithotomy.Stones are removed using a basket and a stent is placed., A 30-year-old male presents with multiple small kidney stones in the upper pole of the kidney. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is performed, and the stones are fragmented using ultrasonic lithotripsy and extracted. A nephrostomy tube and ureteral stent are left in place.
Pre-operative imaging (KUB, CT scan), operative report detailing the approach, stone size, location, number of stones, techniques used for fragmentation and extraction (e.g., lithotripsy, grasping forceps), placement of stent or nephrostomy tube, and post-operative imaging (if performed).
** This code applies to relatively simple procedures involving small, easily accessible stones.Complex cases with larger stones, multiple locations, branching stones, or ureteral involvement should be coded using 50081.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Urology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center