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The procedure described by CPT® Code 50280 involves the surgical treatment of one or more cysts located in the kidney. This is achieved through either excision or unroofing of the cysts. In this surgical intervention, a wide incision is made in the flank area, which allows the surgeon to access and expose the affected kidney. Once the kidney is visible, the cyst is opened to allow for the drainage of its fluid content. Following this, the cyst wall, which may be redundant, is completely excised using both blunt and sharp dissection techniques. To prevent the recurrence of the cyst, the base of the cyst is fulgurated, a process that involves the application of heat to destroy tissue. After the cyst has been addressed, the defect left behind is filled with perirenal fat to aid in healing. Alternatively, if an unroofing procedure is performed, the surgeon creates a window in the cyst wall or partially removes it, followed by marsupialization, which results in an open pocket formed by the remaining cyst wall. In some cases, drains may be inserted into the created window to facilitate ongoing drainage, and the remaining cyst wall is then closed around these drains. Throughout the procedure, careful attention is given to controlling any bleeding, and the surgical incisions are subsequently closed to complete the operation.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 50280 is indicated for the treatment of cysts in the kidney that may cause symptoms or complications. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:
The procedure for excision or unroofing of kidney cysts involves several critical steps, each aimed at effectively treating the cyst while minimizing complications.
After the procedure, patients may require monitoring for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection. The placement of drains, if applicable, will facilitate the drainage of any residual fluid and should be monitored for proper function. Patients can expect a recovery period during which they may experience some discomfort or pain at the incision site. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and ensure that the cyst has not recurred. Instructions regarding activity restrictions and wound care will be provided to support optimal recovery.
| Short Descr | EXC/UNROOFING CYST KIDNEY | Medium Descr | EXCISION/UNROOFING CYST KIDNEY | Long Descr | Excision or unroofing of cyst(s) of kidney | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 112 - Other OR therapeutic procedures of urinary tract |
| 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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