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

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

© 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 due to various types of injuries, which may include contusions that result in tears of the bladder mucosa, intraperitoneal lacerations or ruptures, interstitial injuries, extraperitoneal lacerations or ruptures, or a combination of these injury types. The complexity of the injury often dictates the need for a complicated cystorrhaphy, as opposed to a simpler suture repair. During the procedure, a Foley catheter is typically inserted to facilitate bladder drainage, ensuring that the surgical site remains clear of urine. The surgical approach involves making a vertical midline incision in the abdomen, allowing for thorough inspection of the pelvic viscera, ureters, bowel, and blood vessels. The exterior of the bladder is carefully examined, and the dome of the bladder is opened to inspect its interior. Any foreign bodies present are removed, and the ureteral orifices are checked for integrity. The specific bladder injury is then localized, and any nonviable tissue is debrided to promote optimal healing. The closure of the bladder injury is performed in layers, ensuring a watertight seal, and omental fat may be interposed to cushion the bladder from potential complications associated with pelvic fractures. After the closure, water or saline is instilled through the Foley catheter to confirm 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 further manage the surgical site. The abdomen is subsequently closed in layers to complete the procedure. It is important to note that CPT® Code 51865 is used for complicated repairs, which may involve additional factors such as the presence of foreign bodies, debris, extensive nonviable tissue, or pelvic fractures that complicate the cystorrhaphy process.

© 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 and lacerations.
  • Bladder Rupture A rupture of the bladder, which may be intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal in nature.
  • Complicated Bladder Injuries Injuries that involve foreign bodies, extensive nonviable tissue, or pelvic fractures that complicate the repair process.

2. Procedure

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

  • Step 1: Insertion of Foley Catheter A Foley catheter is inserted to drain the bladder, which helps maintain a clear surgical field during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Abdominal Incision A vertical midline incision is made in the abdomen to provide access to the pelvic region and the bladder.
  • Step 3: Inspection of Pelvic Viscera The pelvic viscera, including the ureters, bowel, and blood vessels, are inspected to assess any potential damage or complications.
  • Step 4: Examination of the Bladder The exterior of the bladder is examined, and the dome of the bladder is opened to allow for internal inspection.
  • Step 5: Removal of Foreign Bodies Any foreign bodies present within the bladder are carefully removed to prevent infection or further complications.
  • Step 6: Inspection of Ureteral Orifices The ureteral orifices are inspected to ensure they are intact and functioning properly.
  • Step 7: Localization and Debridement The specific bladder injury is localized, and any nonviable tissue is debrided to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Step 8: Closure of the Bladder The bladder injury is closed in layers, ensuring a watertight seal to prevent leakage.
  • Step 9: Interposition of Omental Fat Omental fat may be interposed on the closure to cushion the bladder from associated pelvic fractures.
  • Step 10: Instillation of Water or Saline Water or saline is instilled through the Foley catheter to confirm that there is no leakage at the repair site.
  • Step 11: Placement of Suprapubic Catheter A suprapubic catheter may be placed through a separate incision, along with a drain in the perivesical space, to manage postoperative care.
  • Step 12: Closure of the Abdomen The abdomen is then closed in layers to complete the surgical procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a cystorrhaphy includes monitoring for any signs of complications such as infection or leakage at the repair site. Patients may require pain management and should be advised on activity restrictions to promote healing. The Foley catheter will typically remain in place for a period to ensure proper drainage, and the suprapubic catheter, if placed, will also need to be monitored. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and to remove any catheters as appropriate. Documentation of the procedure and any findings during surgery is crucial for future reference and continuity of care.

Short Descr REPAIR OF BLADDER WOUND
Medium Descr CYSTORRHAPHY SUTR BLDR WND INJ/RPT COMPLICATED
Long Descr Cystorrhaphy, suture of bladder wound, injury or rupture; complicated
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
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).
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.
32 Mandated services: services related to mandated consultation and/or related services (eg, third party payer, governmental, legislative or regulatory requirement) may be identified by adding modifier 32 to the basic procedure.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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
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
ET Emergency services
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
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"