Urology Coding Alert

Question: What code should I look at for the cystoscopic laser division of tissue between the trigone and anterior bladder? This patient had a retropubic vesico-urethropexy (Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure) for stress urinary incontinence approximately one year ago.

Oklahoma Subscriber

Answer: This unusual bladder abnormality your urologist saw during his cystoscopic examination is most likely secondary to the previously performed retropubic vesicourethropexy. Therefore, you should use 52214 (Cystourethroscopy, with fulguration [including cryosurgery or laser surgery] of trigone, bladder neck, prostatic fossa, urethra, or periurethral glands) for the laser division of this band of tissue between the trigone and anterior bladder wall.