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Official Description

Dilation of female urethra including suppository and/or instillation; subsequent

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Dilation of the female urethra is a medical procedure aimed at treating a narrowing or stricture of the urethra, which can occur due to various factors such as injury, scarring, congenital anomalies, or other underlying conditions. The procedure involves the careful cleansing of the urethral opening to prepare for intervention. To ensure patient comfort, a local anesthetic is applied, which can be administered in the form of a suppository, jelly, or liquid to numb the urethra. In some cases, general anesthesia or conduction anesthesia (such as spinal anesthesia) may be utilized instead. During the procedure, a series of tubes or dilators are introduced through the urethral opening, extending to the urethrovesical junction, with the goal of increasing the diameter of the narrowed segment of the urethra. A urethroscope may be employed to assist in guiding the dilators accurately. After the dilation is completed, a catheter may be inserted and left in place to facilitate bladder drainage. It is important to note that CPT® Code 53661 is specifically designated for subsequent dilation procedures performed under local anesthesia, while CPT® Code 53660 is used for initial dilation, and CPT® Code 53665 is applicable for dilation procedures performed under general or conduction anesthesia.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The dilation of the female urethra is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Narrowing or Stricture of the Urethra - This condition may arise from various causes, including injury, scarring, or congenital anomalies that lead to a reduced diameter of the urethra, causing urinary obstruction or difficulty.
  • Urinary Retention - Patients experiencing difficulty in urination due to urethral narrowing may require this procedure to alleviate symptoms and restore normal urinary function.
  • Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections - Strictures can contribute to urinary stasis, increasing the risk of infections; dilation may help in reducing the frequency of these infections.

2. Procedure

The procedure for dilation of the female urethra involves several key steps:

  • Preparation - The urethral opening is thoroughly cleansed to minimize the risk of infection and ensure a sterile environment for the procedure.
  • Anesthesia Administration - A local anesthetic is applied to the urethra in the form of a suppository, jelly, or liquid to numb the area. In certain cases, general or conduction (spinal) anesthesia may be chosen based on the patient's needs and the complexity of the procedure.
  • Insertion of Dilators - A series of progressively larger tubes or dilators are carefully passed through the urethral opening, extending to the urethrovesical junction. This step is crucial for gradually increasing the diameter of the narrowed segment of the urethra.
  • Guidance with Urethroscope - A urethroscope may be utilized to provide visual guidance during the dilation process, ensuring accurate placement of the dilators and minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissues.
  • Post-Dilation Catheterization - Following the dilation, a catheter may be inserted into the bladder and left in place to facilitate drainage, allowing for proper urinary function during the recovery period.

3. Post-Procedure

After the dilation procedure, patients may be monitored for any immediate complications or adverse reactions to the anesthesia. The catheter, if placed, is typically kept in position for a specified duration to ensure adequate bladder drainage. Patients may experience some discomfort or mild pain following the procedure, which can usually be managed with prescribed pain relief medications. It is essential for patients to follow any post-procedure care instructions provided by their healthcare provider, including hydration recommendations and signs of potential complications, such as increased pain, bleeding, or signs of infection. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the success of the dilation and determine if further intervention is necessary.

Short Descr DILATION OF URETHRA
Medium Descr DILAT FEMALE URT W/SUPPOSITORY&/INSTLJ SBSQ
Long Descr Dilation of female urethra including suppository and/or instillation; 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
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).
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.
AG Primary physician
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.
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.)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
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