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Code Deleted. See 49186, 49187, 49188, 49189, 49190

Official Description

Resection (tumor debulking) of recurrent ovarian, tubal, primary peritoneal, uterine malignancy (intra-abdominal, retroperitoneal tumors), with omentectomy, if performed

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Resection, or tumor debulking, refers to a surgical procedure aimed at removing as much of a tumor as possible, particularly in cases of recurrent malignancies affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, primary peritoneum, or uterus. This procedure is specifically indicated for intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal tumors, which are tumors located within the abdominal cavity or behind the peritoneum, respectively. The term "tumor debulking" implies that the complete removal of the tumor may not be feasible; therefore, the goal is to excise a significant portion of the tumor to alleviate symptoms, reduce tumor burden, and potentially enhance the effectiveness of subsequent treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The surgical approach typically involves making an abdominal incision to gain direct access to the tumor site, allowing the surgeon to resect the tumor tissue from the affected organs. Additionally, if deemed necessary, the omentum—a fold of peritoneum that supports the abdominal organs—may also be excised during the procedure. This comprehensive approach is crucial for managing recurrent malignancies and improving patient outcomes.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for patients with recurrent malignancies affecting the following conditions:

  • Recurrent Ovarian Malignancy - This refers to the return of cancer in the ovaries after previous treatment.
  • Recurrent Tubal Malignancy - This involves the recurrence of cancer in the fallopian tubes.
  • Primary Peritoneal Malignancy - This indicates cancer that originates in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity.
  • Recurrent Uterine Malignancy - This pertains to the return of cancer in the uterus after initial treatment.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective tumor debulking:

  • Step 1: Anesthesia Administration - The patient is placed under general anesthesia to ensure comfort and immobility during the surgical procedure.
  • Step 2: Abdominal Incision - The surgeon makes a strategic incision in the abdomen to access the tumor site. The location and size of the incision may vary based on the tumor's position and extent.
  • Step 3: Tumor Identification - Once access is gained, the surgeon identifies the tumor and assesses its size, location, and involvement with surrounding tissues.
  • Step 4: Tumor Resection - The surgeon proceeds to resect or debulk the tumor, removing as much of the tumor tissue as possible while preserving surrounding healthy structures when feasible.
  • Step 5: Omentectomy (if performed) - If indicated, the surgeon may also perform an omentectomy, which involves the removal of the omentum, a fatty tissue layer that may harbor cancerous cells.
  • Step 6: Closure - After the tumor and any additional tissues have been removed, the surgeon carefully closes the abdominal incision using sutures or staples, ensuring proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any complications and managing pain effectively. Patients may require a hospital stay for observation, especially if extensive surgery was performed. Recovery time can vary based on the extent of the surgery and the patient's overall health. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and to plan any necessary adjuvant therapies, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, which may be indicated following the debulking procedure. Patients are advised to follow their surgeon's post-operative instructions closely to ensure optimal recovery.

Short Descr RESECT RECURRENT GYN MAL
Medium Descr RESECJ RECUR OVARIAN/TUBAL/PERITONEAL MALIGNANCY
Long Descr Resection (tumor debulking) of recurrent ovarian, tubal, primary peritoneal, uterine malignancy (intra-abdominal, retroperitoneal tumors), with omentectomy, if performed
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) 2 - 150% payment adjustment does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE Not applicable/unspecified.
CCS Clinical Classification 132 - Other OR therapeutic procedures, female organs
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).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Date
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Notes
2024-12-31 Deleted Code Deleted. See 49186, 49187, 49188, 49189, 49190
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2007-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2007.
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