Urology Coding Alert

Question: My urologist performed a left testicular prosthesis placement and the operative report says "absent left testicle from prior orchiectomy." I can't seem to find an appropriate diagnosis code. How should I report this procedure?California SubscriberAnswer: The ICD-9 diagnosis code for this procedure will depend on the reason for the initial orchiectomy.If the orchiectomy was for a testicular tumor, then the diagnoses may be 186.9 (Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified testis) and V10.47 (Personal history of malignant neoplasm of testis). If the orchiectomy was performed for an undescended testicle, then the ICD-9 diagnoses may be 752.51 (Undescended testis) and V45.77 (Acquired absence of organ genital organs). Other diagnoses to be considered are 608.89 (Other specified disorders of male genital organs), 752.89 (Other specified anomalies of genital organs), and 752.52 (Retractile testis).Best bet: Go back to the urologist and ask him for more details about the reason for the previous [...]