Description of TURP CPT Code 52601 & 52630

52601  Transurethral electrosurgical resection of prostate, including control of postoperative bleeding, complete (vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy are included)

After preliminary cystourethroscopy, the physician passes the resectoscope under direct vision up the urethra to the region of the prostate. Meatotomy, cutting to enlarge the opening of the urethra, and/or dilatation of the urethra may be necessary to allow the passage of the resectoscope. The prostate gland is removed in a systematic fashion by using a series of small cuts into the glandular tissue with an electrocautery knife. The resected tissue is removed and the area is kept clear by irrigation through the resectoscope. Bleeding is controlled by fulguration. A catheter is passed into the bladder and left in place for the postoperative period.

The definition of the word “complete” in the code descriptor of CPT code 52601, Transurethral electrosurgical resection of prostate, including control of postoperative bleeding, complete (vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy are included), means the entire prostate gland is removed or excised

Bipolar vaporization of the prostate, while similar to a standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), involves an electrosurgical technique and would be appropriately reported with CPT code 52601.

52630 Transurethral resection; residual or regrowth of obstructive prostate tissue including control of postoperative bleeding, complete (vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy are included)

The physician inserts an endoscope through the urethra to remove residual or regrowth obstructive tissue from a previous surgical procedure. After preliminary cystourethroscopy, the physician passes the resectoscope into the urethra to the prostate. Meatotomy, cutting to enlarge the external opening of the urethra, and dilatation of the urethra may be necessary to allow the passage of the resectoscope. The physician removes residual tissue of the prostate gland through a series of small cuts. The resected tissue is removed, and the area is kept clear by irrigation through the resectoscope. Bleeding is controlled by fulguration. A catheter is passed into the bladder and left in place.

For resection of residual prostate tissue performed within the postoperative period of a related procedure performed by the same physician, append modifier 78

Difference between TURP CPT code 52601 & 52630

If your urologist performs a TURP for a patient who has never had a TURP in the past, report 52601

For example, If the urologist finds a diagnosis of benign prostate hypertropy (N40.1) with severe symptoms like urinary frequency or Nocturia, and the physician decide to perform TURP. Then the coder can report the TURP CPT code 52601 with ICD 10 code N40.1

Use CPT code 52630 when the When your urologist performs a resection for residual tissue or regrowth any time after the original TURP.

For a repeat TURP for residual or obstructive growth when performed within a global period of an initial TURP, is reported with CPT code 52630 with modifier 78 (Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period)

For example, the urologist had performed a prostatic surgery two years ago. Now, the patient is again had some significant regrowth of prostatic tissue which is symptomatic. The urologist decide to perform the TURP again. The second TURP here will be reported as CPT code 52630.

The TURP has a global period of 90 days. If the patient comes back to the OR within 90 days due to residual prostate tissue, then the procedure code 52630 will be repored with 78 modifier.