CPT® Code 52318

Litholapaxy: crushing or fragmentation of calculus by any means in bladder and removal of fragments; complicated or large (over 2.5 cm)

Litholapaxy is a medical procedure used to treat bladder stones, specifically when the stones are complicated or large, measuring over 2.5 cm in diameter. During this procedure, a scope is inserted into the bladder, allowing the physician to visualize the stone directly. The primary goal of litholapaxy is to fragment the stone into smaller pieces, making it easier to remove. This is achieved by utilizing a crushing instrument, a mechanical disintegration probe, or a laser, which is introduced through the urethra into the bladder. The stone is systematically broken down into smaller fragments until they are small enough to be evacuated through a catheter. Following the fragmentation, the bladder is irrigated with sterile saline or another suitable solution to flush out the stone fragments. After the irrigation, the bladder is re-examined with the scope to confirm that all stone fragments have been successfully removed. It is important to differentiate between the two codes associated with litholapaxy: CPT® Code 52317 is designated for simple litholapaxy procedures involving stones smaller than 2.5 cm, while CPT® Code 52318 is specifically for complicated litholapaxy procedures involving larger stones.