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Official Description

Cystoplasty or cystourethroplasty, plastic operation on bladder and/or vesical neck (anterior Y-plasty, vesical fundus resection), any procedure, with or without wedge resection of posterior vesical neck

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

CPT® Code 51800 refers to a surgical procedure known as cystoplasty or cystourethroplasty, which involves plastic reconstruction of the bladder and/or the vesical neck. This operation is performed to address various conditions that may affect the bladder's structure and function, including congenital anomalies, scarring, or deformities resulting from previous surgeries or traumatic injuries. The procedure may involve different techniques tailored to the specific condition being treated. Typically, the bladder is accessed through a low midline or transverse suprapubic incision, allowing the surgeon to expose the bladder adequately. Depending on the location of the defect, the approach may vary; for instance, defects in the posterior bladder are usually approached intraperitoneally, while those in the dome, anterior bladder, vesical neck, or urethra are approached extraperitoneally. During the procedure, the bladder is incised to inspect the defect, and portions of the bladder, bladder neck, or urethra may be excised as necessary. The bladder wall is then reconfigured to restore its integrity and function. Techniques such as plication of the bladder neck or performing a Y-plasty may be employed to address specific issues, such as an enlarged bladder trigone. This procedure is critical for restoring normal bladder function and improving the quality of life for patients with significant bladder abnormalities.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 51800 is indicated for various conditions affecting the bladder and vesical neck. These include:

  • Congenital Anomalies - Structural abnormalities present at birth that affect bladder function.
  • Scarring - Tissue damage resulting from previous surgeries or injuries that can lead to deformities in the bladder.
  • Acquired Deformities - Changes in bladder structure due to trauma or other medical conditions that necessitate surgical intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 51800 involves several critical steps to ensure effective reconstruction of the bladder and/or vesical neck. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Incision - The surgeon begins by making a low midline or transverse suprapubic incision to access the bladder. This incision allows for adequate exposure of the bladder and surrounding structures.
  • Step 2: Inspection of the Bladder - Once the bladder is exposed, the surgeon incises the bladder to inspect the defect. This step is crucial for assessing the extent of the damage and determining the appropriate course of action.
  • Step 3: Excision of Tissue - Depending on the findings during inspection, portions of the bladder, bladder neck, or urethra may be excised. This excision is performed to remove any damaged or diseased tissue that could impede bladder function.
  • Step 4: Reconfiguration of the Bladder Wall - After excision, the bladder wall is reconfigured as needed. Techniques such as plication of the bladder neck or performing a Y-plasty may be utilized to restore the bladder's shape and function, particularly in cases of an enlarged bladder trigone.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a cystoplasty or cystourethroplasty involves monitoring the patient for any complications and ensuring proper recovery. Patients may require a catheter for urinary drainage during the initial recovery phase. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and the functionality of the bladder. Additionally, patients may need to adhere to specific activity restrictions and follow a tailored rehabilitation program to support recovery and optimize bladder function.

Short Descr REVISION OF BLADDER/URETHRA
Medium Descr CSTOPLASTY/CSTOURTP PLSTC ANY
Long Descr Cystoplasty or cystourethroplasty, plastic operation on bladder and/or vesical neck (anterior Y-plasty, vesical fundus resection), any procedure, with or without wedge resection of posterior vesical neck
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).
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.
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).
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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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