CPT® Code 50610

An ureterolithotomy is a surgical procedure specifically designed to remove a calculus, commonly referred to as a stone, from the ureter, which is the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. This procedure is indicated when a stone obstructs the ureter, causing pain, infection, or other complications. The surgery involves making an incision in the abdomen, which may be located over the upper, middle, or lower ureter, depending on the precise location of the stone. During the operation, the abdominal wall muscles are carefully divided, and the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, is pushed aside to access the ureter. Once the ureter is identified, it is meticulously dissected free from surrounding tissues, including the serosa and periureteral fat. The surgeon locates the stone by either observing a bulge in the ureter or by palpating the ureter manually. To facilitate the removal of the stone, vascular loops are placed above and below the stone to immobilize it. The ureter is then incised directly over the stone, allowing for its extraction. After the stone is removed, a catheter is inserted into the ureter for irrigation, ensuring that any remaining fragments are cleared. A soft Penrose drainage tube or suction tube is placed to drain the ureter, and the incision in the ureter is carefully closed to avoid constriction. Finally, a drainage tube is positioned, and the abdominal incision is closed around the drain. This procedure is specifically coded as CPT® 50610 when the stone is removed from the upper one-third of the ureter, with different codes designated for stones located in the middle and lower thirds of the ureter.