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Official Description

Conjunctivoplasty, reconstruction cul-de-sac; with conjunctival graft or extensive rearrangement

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Conjunctivoplasty, specifically the reconstruction of the cul-de-sac, is a surgical procedure aimed at addressing various ocular conditions that affect the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. This procedure is particularly indicated for patients with redundant conjunctiva, lesions on the conjunctiva, or hyperemia, which is the increased blood flow leading to redness of the conjunctival blood vessels. The cul-de-sac, also known as the conjunctival fornix, is the anatomical area where the conjunctiva of the eyeball meets that of the eyelid, playing a crucial role in the overall function and health of the eye. During conjunctivoplasty, a subconjunctival injection may be administered to elevate the conjunctiva away from the sclera, allowing for better access to the affected tissue. The surgical approach involves excising any redundant or abnormal conjunctival tissue, followed by either rearranging the remaining conjunctiva or utilizing a conjunctival graft harvested from the contralateral eye to repair the defect. This meticulous reconstruction is essential for restoring the normal anatomy and function of the conjunctiva and cul-de-sac, thereby improving patient outcomes and comfort.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Conjunctivoplasty with reconstruction of the cul-de-sac is performed for several specific indications, which include:

  • Redundant Conjunctiva Excessive or abnormal conjunctival tissue that may interfere with normal eye function or cause discomfort.
  • Lesions of the Conjunctiva Abnormal growths or changes in the conjunctival tissue that require surgical intervention for removal or reconstruction.
  • Hyperemia of Conjunctival Blood Vessels Increased blood flow to the conjunctiva, resulting in redness and potential irritation, necessitating surgical correction.

2. Procedure

The procedure for conjunctivoplasty with reconstruction of the cul-de-sac involves several detailed steps:

  • Step 1: Subconjunctival Injection A subconjunctival injection may be administered to elevate the conjunctiva off the sclera, providing better access to the surgical site.
  • Step 2: Excision of Abnormal Tissue The surgeon excises the redundant or abnormal conjunctival tissue, ensuring that the area is prepared for reconstruction.
  • Step 3: Conjunctival Graft Harvesting If a conjunctival graft is required, it is harvested from the contralateral eye. The donor site is marked, and a subconjunctival injection of balanced salt solution and local anesthetic is used to elevate the conjunctiva.
  • Step 4: Incision and Dissection The lateral borders of the graft are incised in a radial fashion, and the tissue between these incisions is undermined using blunt dissection, extending to the conjunctival insertion at the limbus and into the peripheral cornea.
  • Step 5: Graft Placement The excised conjunctival graft, which may include superficial epithelial corneal tissue, is then placed over the surgically created conjunctival defect in the opposite eye.
  • Step 6: Donor Site Management The donor site may be left to heal by secondary intention, or the conjunctiva may be advanced to cover a portion of the donor site to minimize pain and inflammation.

3. Post-Procedure

After the conjunctivoplasty procedure, patients can expect specific post-operative care and considerations. It is essential to monitor the surgical site for any signs of infection or complications. Patients may experience some discomfort, redness, or swelling in the area, which is typically managed with prescribed medications. Follow-up appointments are crucial to assess the healing process and ensure that the graft is integrating properly with the surrounding conjunctival tissue. The surgeon may provide specific instructions regarding activity restrictions, eye care, and the use of topical medications to promote healing and prevent complications.

Short Descr REVISE/GRAFT EYELID LINING
Medium Descr CJP RCNSTJ CUL-DE-SAC BUCCAL GRF/XTNSV REARRGMT
Long Descr Conjunctivoplasty, reconstruction cul-de-sac; with conjunctival graft or extensive rearrangement
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P4E - Eye procedure - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 19 - Other therapeutic procedures on eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea
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).
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
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.)
E4 Lower right, eyelid
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.
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number.
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
ET Emergency services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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