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Official Description

Dilation of urethral stricture by passage of sound or urethral dilator, male; subsequent

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A urethral stricture in a male refers to a narrowing of the urethra, which can occur due to various factors such as infection or trauma. The procedure coded as CPT® 53601 involves the dilation of this stricture using a sound or urethral dilator. During the dilation process, a series of increasingly larger sounds, which are rods with rounded ends, are inserted into the urethra to gradually widen the narrowed area. Alternatively, a specialized balloon catheter may be employed for dilation. Some balloon dilators are designed with an integral urinary drainage catheter that can remain in the bladder post-procedure. If sounds are utilized for the dilation, a urinary catheter may be placed afterward to help maintain the opening of the urethra. It is important to note that CPT® 53601 is specifically designated for subsequent dilation procedures following an initial dilation, which is coded as CPT® 53600.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The dilation of urethral stricture by passage of sound or urethral dilator is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Urethral Stricture A narrowing of the urethra that can lead to urinary obstruction and other complications.
  • Urinary Retention Difficulty in urination due to the stricture, necessitating intervention to restore normal urinary flow.
  • Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Associated with stricture, where dilation may help alleviate symptoms and reduce infection frequency.

2. Procedure

The procedure for dilation of a urethral stricture involves several key steps that ensure effective treatment of the narrowed urethra.

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the area is prepared for the procedure. This may include antiseptic cleaning to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: Anesthesia Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure the patient’s comfort during the procedure, although general anesthesia can also be used depending on the clinical scenario.
  • Step 3: Insertion of Sounds or Balloon Catheter A series of sounds, which are rods with rounded ends, are inserted into the urethra. The sounds are progressively larger to gradually dilate the stricture. Alternatively, a balloon catheter may be used, which is inflated to widen the stricture.
  • Step 4: Maintenance of Urethral Patency If sounds are used, a urinary catheter may be placed following dilation to maintain the opening of the urethra. This helps prevent the stricture from closing again.
  • Step 5: Post-Procedure Monitoring The patient is monitored for any immediate complications, and instructions are provided for post-procedure care.

3. Post-Procedure

After the dilation procedure, patients may experience some discomfort or urinary urgency. It is essential to monitor for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection. The urinary catheter, if placed, may remain in situ for a specified period to ensure proper healing and patency of the urethra. Patients are typically advised on hydration and may receive instructions on managing any discomfort. Follow-up appointments are crucial to assess the success of the dilation and to determine if further interventions are necessary.

Short Descr DILATE URETHRA STRICTURE
Medium Descr DILAT URETHRAL STRIX DILATOR MALE SBSQ
Long Descr Dilation of urethral stricture by passage of sound or urethral dilator, male; subsequent
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
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 STV-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 109 - Procedures on the urethra
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.)
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.
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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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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