CPT® Code 50972

Ureteral endoscopy through ureterotomy, with or without irrigation, instillation, or ureteropyelography, exclusive of radiologic service; with ureteral catheterization, with or without dilation of ureter

Ureteral endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the examination and treatment of the ureter, which is the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. This procedure is performed through an incision in the ureter, known as a ureterotomy, allowing direct access to the ureter for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. During the procedure, a ureteroscope, a specialized instrument equipped with a camera and light, is introduced through the small incision to visualize the internal structure of the ureter. The primary goal of ureteral endoscopy is to identify and address various abnormalities such as obstructions, stenosis (narrowing), strictures, or other pathological conditions affecting the ureter. In addition to visual inspection, the procedure may involve the irrigation of the ureter with normal saline or the instillation of diagnostic or therapeutic solutions to aid in treatment. Furthermore, contrast material can be injected to perform ureteropyelography, a radiologic examination that provides detailed images of the urinary tract. This allows for a comprehensive assessment of the ureter's condition. If any stenosis is detected during the examination, a ureteral catheter is advanced through the ureteroscope to the site of the narrowing. A balloon-tipped catheter may then be introduced and inflated to dilate the stenotic area, which may require multiple inflations to achieve adequate widening. After the necessary interventions are completed, all instruments are carefully removed, and the ureterotomy is closed with sutures, ensuring the integrity of the ureter is restored.