Summary & Overview
CPT 54308: Second-Stage Hypospadias Repair, Distal Urethra <3 cm
CPT code 54308 represents a second-stage surgical repair for hypospadias, typically performed six to twelve months after initial correction of penile curvature and the first-stage reconstruction. The procedure creates a distal urethra shorter than three centimeters and includes temporary urinary diversion via bladder catheterization. This code is clinically significant for pediatric urology and reconstructive surgery, with national relevance for surgical quality measures, perioperative care protocols, and payer coverage policies.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, expected site-of-service settings, and the common procedural elements tied to the code. The publication provides benchmarks and reimbursement context where available, summaries of payer policy considerations, and implications for documentation and surgical coding accuracy. It also highlights clinical workflow points — timing relative to first-stage repair, operative goals (distal urethra <3 cm), and typical surgical environment — that affect coding and billing.
Data not available in the input will be noted where payer-specific rates, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 pairing details are absent. The content is intended for a national audience of clinicians, coding specialists, and policy analysts seeking an authoritative summary of CPT code 54308.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 54308 describes a second-stage surgical repair of hypospadias. The procedure is performed typically six to twelve months after correction of penile curvature and the initial stage of hypospadias repair. The provider creates a distal urethra of less than three centimeters and places a urinary catheter to divert urine into the bladder during the procedure.
Service type: Surgical — Pediatric/Urologic reconstructive procedure
Typical site of service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 2-year-old male patient presents for the second stage of a staged hypospadias repair following an initial proximal shaft reconstruction performed 6–12 months earlier to correct penile curvature (chordee) and prepare tissue for urethral reconstruction. The child has a history of proximal hypospadias with chordee; the first stage included chordee correction and a graft or flap to create a neourethral plate. The current procedure is a planned second-stage urethroplasty in the operating room under general anesthesia. The surgeon creates a distal urethra segment of less than three centimeters, performs urethral tubularization and reconstruction, secures local tissue flaps, and places a urinary catheter to divert urine to protect the repair during healing. Typical intraoperative workflow includes preoperative anesthesia evaluation, sterile prep and drape, penile degloving as needed, reconstruction of the distal urethra, hemostasis, placement of a urethral stent or suprapubic/indwelling catheter for diversion, dressing, and postoperative recovery with short inpatient observation or same-day discharge depending on age and complexity. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department; inpatient admission can occur if comorbidities or complications are anticipated.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Normal, uncomplicated service | Use when the procedure is performed as planned without unusual circumstances and the provider is the primary surgeon. |