Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
CareerCenter
Medical Coding Job Board
Log in Register free account

Need help choosing the right code?

Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.

Try CasePilot

Official Description

Cystectomy, partial; complicated (eg, postradiation, previous surgery, difficult location)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Partial cystectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a portion of the bladder, typically performed to address localized malignant neoplasms, or tumors, within the bladder. This procedure is indicated when the cancer is confined to a specific area, allowing for the excision of the tumor while preserving as much of the bladder as possible. The surgery is initiated by exposing the bladder through a low midline or transverse suprapubic incision, which provides access to the bladder for the surgeon. Depending on the location of the tumor, different approaches are utilized; for instance, tumors located in the posterior bladder are accessed intraperitoneally, while those situated in the dome or anterior bladder are approached extraperitoneally. During the procedure, if necessary, a pelvic lymph node dissection may be performed to assess the spread of cancer. The bladder is then mobilized, and stay sutures are placed at a distance from the lesion to facilitate a clear view of the area being treated. The bladder is incised between these stay sutures, allowing for an enlargement of the incision to enhance visualization of the lesion. The surgeon excises the affected portion of the bladder along with surrounding perivesical fat and peritoneum, ensuring that a margin of healthy tissue is included to minimize the risk of cancer recurrence. After the excision, the bladder wall is meticulously closed in layers, including the submucosa and muscle, to restore the integrity of the bladder. This procedure is classified as complicated when it involves factors such as previous bladder surgeries, radiation treatment affecting the lower abdomen or bladder, or when the lesions are in difficult-to-access locations, necessitating a more intricate surgical approach.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The partial cystectomy procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Localized Malignant Neoplasm of the Bladder - This procedure is primarily performed to remove tumors that are confined to a specific area of the bladder.
  • Previous Bladder Surgery - Indications may include cases where the patient has undergone prior surgical interventions on the bladder, complicating the current surgical approach.
  • Postradiation Effects - Patients who have received radiation treatment affecting the lower abdomen or bladder may require this procedure due to complications arising from the radiation.
  • Difficult Location of Lesions - Lesions that are challenging to access due to their anatomical position may necessitate a partial cystectomy to ensure complete removal.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a complicated partial cystectomy involves several critical steps:

  • Incision - The surgery begins with the creation of a low midline or transverse suprapubic incision to expose the bladder. This incision allows the surgeon to access the bladder effectively.
  • Accessing the Lesion - Depending on the location of the tumor, the surgeon will approach the bladder either intraperitoneally for posterior lesions or extraperitoneally for lesions located in the dome or anterior bladder.
  • Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection - If indicated, a pelvic lymph node dissection is performed to evaluate the extent of cancer spread, which may be necessary for staging and treatment planning.
  • Mobilization of the Bladder - The bladder is mobilized to provide adequate access to the lesion. Stay sutures are placed at a distance from the lesion to facilitate a clear surgical field.
  • Incision of the Bladder - The bladder is incised between the stay sutures, and the incision is enlarged to allow for optimal visualization of the lesion.
  • Excision of the Lesion - The affected portion of the bladder, along with surrounding perivesical fat and peritoneum, is excised. Care is taken to remove a margin of healthy tissue to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
  • Closure of the Bladder - The bladder wall is closed in layers, including the submucosa and muscle, to restore the structural integrity of the bladder.

3. Post-Procedure

After the partial cystectomy, patients may require specific post-operative care to ensure proper recovery. Monitoring for complications such as bleeding, infection, or urinary leakage is essential. Patients may also need to follow up with imaging studies or additional treatments based on the pathology results of the excised tissue. The recovery period can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and the patient's overall health, but careful adherence to post-operative instructions is crucial for optimal healing and outcomes.

Short Descr PARTIAL REMOVAL OF BLADDER
Medium Descr CYSTECTOMY PARTIAL COMPLICATED
Long Descr Cystectomy, partial; complicated (eg, postradiation, previous surgery, difficult location)
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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
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).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"