CPT® Code 59871

The procedure described by CPT® Code 59871 involves the removal of a cervical cerclage suture under anesthesia that is not local. A cervical cerclage is a stitch placed around the cervix to support it during pregnancy, particularly in cases where there is a risk of premature birth due to cervical insufficiency. The removal of this suture is typically performed under regional or general anesthesia, which may be necessary due to various clinical circumstances. This procedure can occur either before the onset of labor or after the global period associated with the placement of the cerclage. In standard practice, if a patient is expected to deliver vaginally, the cerclage is usually removed around 36 to 37 weeks of gestation, often in an office setting with local anesthesia. However, for patients scheduled for a cesarean delivery, the cerclage is generally removed during the cesarean procedure itself. In cases where complications arise, particularly when the cerclage has been placed through an abdominal incision, the removal may need to be conducted under regional or general anesthesia at a different time than the delivery. The surgical technique for removing a transabdominally placed cerclage involves making an incision in the lower abdomen, followed by careful dissection to reach the cervix, where the cerclage sutures are then exposed and removed.