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Official Description

Cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy; with treatment of ureteral stricture (eg, balloon dilation, laser, electrocautery, and incision)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure utilized to address ureteral strictures, which are narrowings in the ureter that can impede the flow of urine from the kidneys to the bladder. This procedure involves the use of a specialized instrument called a ureteroscope, which is inserted through the urethra into the bladder and then advanced into the ureter. The primary goal of this intervention is to directly visualize the stricture and employ various treatment modalities such as balloon dilation, laser therapy, electrocautery, or incision to alleviate the obstruction. The procedure is particularly indicated for conditions such as ureteral stricture, ureteropelvic junction stricture, and intra-renal stricture, each of which may require specific techniques for effective treatment. By utilizing the ureteroscope, healthcare professionals can accurately navigate to the site of the stricture, allowing for precise intervention and improved patient outcomes.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy is indicated for the treatment of the following conditions:

  • Ureteral Stricture Narrowing of the ureter that can obstruct urine flow.
  • Ureteropelvic Junction Stricture A specific type of stricture located at the junction where the ureter meets the renal pelvis.
  • Intra-Renal Stricture Narrowing that occurs within the renal pelvis or calyces of the kidney.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several key steps to effectively treat the ureteral stricture:

  • Step 1: Ureteroscope Insertion The ureteroscope is carefully inserted through the urethra and advanced into the bladder. Once in the bladder, the ureteroscope is further advanced into the ureter until it reaches the site of the stricture.
  • Step 2: Visualization of the Stricture Upon reaching the stricture, the healthcare provider visualizes the narrowed area using the ureteroscope, allowing for direct assessment of the obstruction.
  • Step 3: Guidewire Placement A guidewire is then passed through the stricture to facilitate further treatment. This guidewire serves as a pathway for subsequent instruments.
  • Step 4: Treatment of the Stricture Depending on the specific technique chosen, treatment may involve the use of a balloon catheter, laser, electrocautery, or incision. If a balloon catheter is utilized, it is advanced over the guidewire to the stricture site, inflated to dilate the narrowing, deflated, and then removed. If laser treatment is indicated, a laser fiber is introduced to the stricture site and activated to incise the narrowed area. Electrocautery or incision may also be performed via the ureteroscope to open the stricture.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients may require monitoring for any immediate complications. It is common for patients to experience some discomfort or urinary symptoms following the intervention. Healthcare providers may recommend follow-up appointments to assess the success of the treatment and to monitor for any recurrence of the stricture. Additional imaging studies or procedures may be necessary based on the patient's condition and response to treatment.

Short Descr CYSTO/URETERO STRICTURE TX
Medium Descr CYSTO W/URTROSCOPY W/TX URETERAL STRICTURE
Long Descr Cystourethroscopy with ureteroscopy; with treatment of ureteral stricture (eg, balloon dilation, laser, electrocautery, and incision)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Endoscopic Base Code 52000  Cystourethroscopy (separate procedure)
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P8E - Endoscopy - cystoscopy
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 101 - Transurethral excision, drainage, or removal urinary obstruction
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main 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).
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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.
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
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.)
AG Primary physician
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
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2001-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2001.
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