2025 CPT code 59160
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures for Maternity Care and Delivery Feed
Curettage, postpartum
Modifiers may be applicable in certain situations. For example, modifier 78 may be used for an unplanned return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period.
Medical necessity for postpartum curettage is established when there is a clinical indication such as retained products of conception, postpartum hemorrhage, or infection that requires surgical intervention to resolve.
The physician is responsible for performing the postpartum curettage, which involves the following steps: 1. Patient Preparation: Placing the patient in the lithotomy position and providing appropriate anesthesia (regional, general, or local). 2. Cervical Dilation: Dilating the cervix using progressively larger instruments to allow access to the uterine cavity. 3. Uterine Sounding: Determining the size and position of the uterus using a uterine sound. 4. Curettage: Inserting a blunt curette into the uterus and gently scraping the uterine lining to remove retained products of conception or other material. 5. Hemostasis: Ensuring hemostasis (stopping bleeding) and treating any lacerations that may occur during the procedure. 6. Post-Procedure Care: Monitoring the patient for complications and providing appropriate post-procedure instructions.
In simple words: After childbirth, sometimes small pieces of the placenta can remain in the uterus, causing bleeding.This procedure involves widening the cervix and gently scraping the inside of the uterus to remove any leftover tissue and stop the bleeding.
The physician performs a postpartum curettage, which involves dilating the cervix and scraping the uterine lining to remove retained placental tissue or other material. This procedure is typically done after childbirth to control bleeding or address complications such as retained placenta.
Example 1: A patient experiences heavy vaginal bleeding after a vaginal delivery due to retained placental fragments. A postpartum curettage (59160) is performed to remove the retained tissue and control the bleeding., Following a cesarean delivery, a patient develops postpartum hemorrhage due to retained placental tissue. A postpartum curettage (59160) is performed to remove the retained tissue and achieve hemostasis., A patient presents with fever and foul-smelling vaginal discharge after a vaginal delivery, suggesting postpartum endometritis with retained products of conception. A postpartum curettage (59160) is performed to remove the infected tissue and facilitate recovery.
The documentation should include details about the indication for the procedure (e.g., retained placenta, postpartum bleeding), type of anesthesia used, findings during the procedure, amount and type of tissue removed, and any complications encountered.
** If ultrasound guidance is used during the procedure, code 76998 should be reported in addition to 59160.
- Revenue Code: P1G
- Specialties:Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital