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Official Description

Cystorrhaphy, suture of bladder wound, injury or rupture; simple

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A cystorrhaphy is a surgical procedure specifically designed for the suture repair of a bladder wound, injury, or rupture. This procedure is indicated in cases where the bladder has sustained damage, which can manifest in various forms such as contusions with tears of the bladder mucosa, intraperitoneal lacerations or ruptures, interstitial injuries, extraperitoneal lacerations or ruptures, or a combination of these injuries. The procedure typically begins with the insertion of a Foley catheter to drain the bladder, ensuring that the surgical field is clear of urine. A vertical midline incision is then made in the abdomen to access the pelvic viscera, including the ureters, bowel, and blood vessels, which are carefully inspected for any additional injuries. The exterior of the bladder is also examined, and the dome of the bladder is opened to allow for a thorough inspection of its interior. During this process, any foreign bodies present are removed, and the ureteral orifices are checked for integrity. The specific bladder injury is localized, and any nonviable tissue is debrided to promote optimal healing. The closure of the bladder injury is performed in layers to ensure a watertight seal, and omental fat may be interposed to provide cushioning against potential pelvic fractures. After the closure, water or saline is instilled through the Foley catheter to verify that there is no leakage at the repair site. In some cases, a suprapubic catheter may be placed through a separate incision, along with a drain in the perivesical space, to facilitate postoperative care. Finally, the abdomen is closed in layers, completing the procedure. For a simple suture repair, the appropriate code to use is 51860, while a more complicated repair, which may involve additional factors such as foreign bodies or extensive nonviable tissue, is coded as 51865.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The cystorrhaphy procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Bladder Wound A wound to the bladder that requires surgical intervention for repair.
  • Bladder Injury Any form of injury to the bladder, including contusions or lacerations.
  • Bladder Rupture A rupture of the bladder, which may be intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal in nature.
  • Complex Bladder Injuries Injuries that may involve multiple types of damage, such as interstitial injuries or those associated with pelvic fractures.

2. Procedure

The cystorrhaphy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective repair of the bladder injury:

  • Step 1: Foley Catheter Insertion The procedure begins with the insertion of a Foley catheter to drain the bladder, which helps to maintain a clear surgical field and reduces the risk of contamination during the operation.
  • Step 2: Abdominal Incision A vertical midline incision is made in the abdomen, providing access to the pelvic viscera, including the bladder, ureters, and surrounding structures.
  • Step 3: Inspection of Pelvic Viscera The surgeon inspects the pelvic viscera, ureters, bowel, and blood vessels for any additional injuries that may need to be addressed during the procedure.
  • Step 4: Bladder Inspection The exterior of the bladder is examined, and then the dome of the bladder is opened to allow for a thorough inspection of its interior, ensuring that all aspects of the injury are assessed.
  • Step 5: Foreign Body Removal Any foreign bodies present within the bladder are carefully removed to prevent complications and promote healing.
  • Step 6: Ureteral Orifice Inspection The ureteral orifices are inspected to confirm their integrity, ensuring that they have not been compromised during the injury.
  • Step 7: Localization and Debridement The specific bladder injury is localized, and any nonviable tissue is debrided to facilitate proper healing and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Step 8: Closure of the Bladder The bladder injury is closed in layers in a watertight fashion, which is crucial for preventing leakage post-surgery. Omental fat may be interposed on the closure to provide additional cushioning against potential pelvic fractures.
  • Step 9: Leakage Testing Following the closure, water or saline is instilled through the Foley catheter to ensure that there is no leakage at the repair site, confirming the integrity of the closure.
  • Step 10: Placement of Suprapubic Catheter If necessary, a suprapubic catheter may be placed through a separate incision, along with a drain in the perivesical space, to assist in postoperative management.
  • Step 11: Abdominal Closure Finally, the abdomen is closed in layers, completing the surgical procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the cystorrhaphy procedure, patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as leakage or infection. The placement of a Foley catheter allows for continuous drainage of urine, which is essential for the healing process. Patients may also have a suprapubic catheter in place, which will require care and monitoring. Recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the injury and the complexity of the repair. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing of the bladder and to remove any catheters as appropriate. It is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms, such as increased pain, fever, or changes in urinary output, to their healthcare provider promptly.

Short Descr REPAIR OF BLADDER WOUND
Medium Descr CYSTORRHAPHY SUTR BLDR WND INJ/RPT SIMPLE
Long Descr Cystorrhaphy, suture of bladder wound, injury or rupture; simple
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
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).
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)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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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