2025 CPT code 50545
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Urinary System Feed
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, including removal of Gerota's fascia, surrounding fatty tissue, regional lymph nodes, and adrenalectomy.
Modifiers may be applicable to indicate specific circumstances, such as increased procedural services (22), bilateral procedures (50), or multiple procedures (51). Refer to current CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity must be established based on the underlying condition requiring nephrectomy, such as malignancy, severe hypertension due to a non-functioning kidney, or donation for transplant.
The surgeon positions the patient, prepares the surgical site, makes the incisions, inserts the laparoscope, dissects the kidney and surrounding structures, and removes the specimen.
In simple words: The surgeon removes a kidney and nearby tissues, including the adrenal gland and lymph nodes, through small incisions using a tiny camera and specialized instruments.
This procedure involves the removal of the entire kidney, along with Gerota's fascia, surrounding fatty tissue, regional lymph nodes, and the adrenal gland, using a laparoscopic approach.The patient is positioned prone (or supine for transplant cases).Small incisions are made, a laparoscope is inserted, and the kidney and associated structures are dissected and removed.
Example 1: A patient with a renal cell carcinoma confined to the kidney undergoes a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy to remove the tumor and prevent spread., A patient with a non-functioning kidney causing severe hypertension undergoes laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and adrenalectomy., A patient requires a donor nephrectomy for a kidney transplant. The procedure is performed laparoscopically.
Documentation should include operative report detailing the laparoscopic approach, structures removed (kidney, Gerota’s fascia, lymph nodes, adrenal gland), and any complications. Preoperative imaging and pathology reports should support the diagnosis and medical necessity.
** This code describes a complex procedure, and proper coding requires careful review of the operative report and supporting documentation to ensure accurate reporting.Consult iFrameAI product for latest information.
- Revenue Code: P5E - AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - OTHER
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Urology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center