Summary & Overview
CPT 38572: Laparoscopic Pelvic and Aortic Lymphadenectomy
CPT code 38572 denotes a laparoscopic pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy: a minimally invasive procedure to visualize and excise pelvic lymph nodes bilaterally and to inspect and remove diseased aortic (para-aortic) nodes. This procedure is clinically significant in staging and local control of cancers that can spread via pelvic and para-aortic lymphatics, and it affects surgical pathways, hospital resource use, and postoperative surveillance nationally.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The summary addresses coverage patterns and administrative considerations across these major payers.
Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical service and typical sites of service, an overview of payer coverage patterns and common billing modifiers, and context for how the code is used in surgical oncology workflows. The publication also provides benchmarks and policy-relevant notes where available. Data not provided in the input — such as specific reimbursement rates, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 pairings — are noted as not available.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 38572 describes a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which the provider makes small incisions and inserts a camera into the abdomen to visualize and remove lymph nodes. The procedure includes excision of pelvic lymph nodes on both sides and inspection and removal of diseased lymph nodes in the aortic area. The clinical intent is removal of diseased lymphatic tissue to prevent regional spread of malignancy.
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Service type: Laparoscopic bilateral pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center with laparoscopic capabilities
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old female with recently diagnosed high-grade endometrial carcinoma is scheduled for a minimally invasive pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy for staging and removal of suspected metastatic lymph nodes. Preoperative workup includes pelvic MRI and CT chest/abdomen for staging, tumor markers, and anesthesia assessment. The patient is brought to an ambulatory surgical center or hospital operating room under general endotracheal anesthesia. The surgeon makes small abdominal incisions and inserts a laparoscope to inspect the pelvis and para-aortic region. Bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection is performed and enlarged or suspicious aortic (para-aortic) nodes are identified and excised. Intraoperative pathology (frozen section) may be requested if sentinel node mapping or uncertain nodes are encountered. Estimated blood loss and hemostasis are documented. The patient is recovered in the post-anesthesia care unit and either discharged home the same day (ambulatory setting) or admitted for overnight observation if there are intraoperative complications or comorbidities. Coding captures the laparoscopic bilateral pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy for oncologic staging and prevention of disease spread.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Principal procedure | When this lymphadenectomy is the primary reason for the encounter |