How To Use CPT Code 51080

CPT 51080 describes the procedure for drainage of a perivesical or prevesical space abscess. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 51080?

CPT 51080 can be used to describe the procedure performed by a healthcare provider to drain an abscess near the urinary bladder. This code is used when the provider makes an incision near the bladder and drains the pus around it.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 51080 is: ‘Drainage of perivesical or prevesical space abscess.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider prepares the patient and administers anesthesia.
2. The provider makes an incision in the skin overlying the urinary bladder.
3. He then dissects down through the subcutaneous tissue or just under the skin and muscles.
4. The provider identifies the bladder and checks it by inserting a syringe and draining out the urine.
5. Next, he makes an incision into the abscess near the bladder and drains the pus through a tube inserted in a separate stab incision in the skin.
6. The provider explores the abscess cavity to break up any loculations or compartments of pus within the abscess, irrigating the site, and using gauze to help soak up drainage and blood.
7. If there are any other abscesses at the outer surface of the bladder and the anterior abdominal wall, he drains those as well.
8. The provider sutures the drainage tubes to the skin as necessary.
9. Finally, he sutures the bladder site and closes the abdominal wound by suturing the layers of tissue together.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible for CPT 51080 are those with a perivesical or prevesical space abscess. The procedure is performed by a healthcare provider who is qualified to perform the drainage. The abscess must be near the urinary bladder, and the provider must make an incision to drain the pus.

5. When to use CPT code 51080

CPT code 51080 should be used when a healthcare provider performs the procedure to drain a perivesical or prevesical space abscess. It is important to ensure that the abscess is in the specified location and that the provider makes an incision to drain the pus.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 51080, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis of a perivesical or prevesical space abscess
• Details of the procedure, including the incision made and the drainage of pus
• Any additional abscesses drained during the procedure
• Any complications or additional procedures performed
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 51080, ensure that the procedure is performed by a qualified healthcare provider and that the abscess is in the specified location. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting CPT 51080 with other codes.

8. Historical information

CPT 51080 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider performing the drainage of a perivesical space abscess near the urinary bladder.
2. A surgeon making an incision to drain a prevesical space abscess and exploring the cavity to break up any loculations.
3. A urologist draining an abscess near the bladder and suturing the drainage tubes to the skin.
4. An interventional radiologist performing percutaneous image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter of a perivesicular space abscess.
5. A general surgeon draining an abscess near the anterior abdominal wall and suturing the bladder site.