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Official Description

Transurethral incision of prostate

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure aimed at alleviating urinary obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). During this procedure, the physician accesses the prostate through the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Utilizing electrocautery or a laser beam, the physician makes a precise incision at the junction where the prostate meets the bladder. This incision is carefully extended through the muscle tissue and into the prostate itself, resulting in one or two small incisions or grooves within the prostate tissue. Importantly, no prostate tissue is excised during this procedure. The primary objective of TUIP is to relieve the pressure on the urethra, thereby facilitating a smoother and more efficient flow of urine from the bladder. This procedure is particularly beneficial for patients experiencing significant urinary symptoms due to prostate enlargement, as it can improve their quality of life by reducing urinary obstruction and associated complications.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is indicated for patients experiencing urinary obstruction due to an enlarged prostate. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:

  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - A common condition in older men characterized by the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, leading to urinary difficulties.
  • Urinary Retention - A condition where the bladder does not empty completely, causing discomfort and potential complications.
  • Frequent Urination - Increased urgency and frequency of urination, particularly at night (nocturia), which can significantly impact quality of life.
  • Weak Urine Stream - A diminished flow of urine that can be indicative of obstruction caused by prostate enlargement.

2. Procedure

The transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) involves several key procedural steps that are performed with precision to ensure patient safety and effectiveness of the treatment.

  • Step 1: Anesthesia Administration - The procedure begins with the administration of anesthesia, which may be local or general, depending on the patient's condition and the physician's preference. This ensures that the patient remains comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure.
  • Step 2: Urethral Access - The physician then carefully inserts a cystoscope, a thin tube with a camera and light, through the urethra to visualize the prostate and bladder. This allows for accurate placement of instruments and assessment of the urinary tract.
  • Step 3: Incision Creation - Using electrocautery or a laser beam, the physician makes an incision at the site where the prostate meets the bladder. This incision is critical for relieving pressure on the urethra.
  • Step 4: Prostate Incisions - The incision is extended through the muscle tissue and into the prostate, where one or two small incisions or grooves are created. This step is essential for alleviating the obstruction without removing any prostate tissue.
  • Step 5: Cystoscope Removal - After the incisions are made, the cystoscope is carefully removed, and the procedure is concluded. The patient is monitored for any immediate complications before being moved to recovery.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), patients are typically monitored in a recovery area to ensure there are no immediate complications. It is common for patients to have a urinary catheter placed temporarily to assist with urine drainage as the urethra heals. Patients may experience some discomfort, mild bleeding, or urinary urgency following the procedure, which usually resolves within a few days. It is important for patients to follow their physician's post-operative care instructions, which may include recommendations for hydration, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments to assess recovery and urinary function. Most patients can expect an improvement in urinary symptoms within a few weeks after the procedure, contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

Short Descr INCISION OF PROSTATE
Medium Descr TRANSURETHRAL INCISION PROSTATE
Long Descr Transurethral incision of prostate
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) 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.
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) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 118 - Other OR therapeutic procedures, male genital
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.
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
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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
1992-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1992.
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