Summary & Overview
CPT 57555: Vaginal Excision of Cervical Stump with Anterior/Posterior Repair
CPT code 57555 represents the vaginal excision of a retained cervical stump after a prior subtotal hysterectomy, often performed with anterior and/or posterior pelvic repair. This gynecologic surgical code is important nationally because it captures a distinct, specialized procedure for management of symptomatic cervical remnants and related pelvic floor defects, with implications for surgical quality reporting, facility reimbursement, and patient access to minimally invasive vaginal procedures.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The summary covers typical sites of service (hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgery centers) and outlines the clinical context for the procedure.
Readers will learn the clinical scope of the code, common settings where the service is provided, and what to expect in payer coverage considerations. The publication also provides benchmarking context and highlights policy-relevant points such as coding specificity for vaginal stump excision with concomitant anterior/posterior repair. Data not available in the input are explicitly noted where applicable in supporting sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 57555 describes a surgical procedure in which the physician excises the cervical stump remaining after a prior subtotal hysterectomy via a vaginal approach and performs anterior and/or posterior repair as indicated.
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Service type: Surgical gynecologic procedure involving vaginal cervix excision with concurrent pelvic support repair
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center (vaginal surgical setting)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a woman with a prior subtotal (supracervical) hysterectomy who presents with persistent pelvic pressure, vaginal bleeding, cervical stenosis, or prolapse of the cervical stump. The patient often reports vaginal bulge, urinary symptoms, or dyspareunia. Preoperative evaluation includes history and physical exam, pelvic ultrasound or MRI as indicated, Pap test if due, and counseling about risks and alternatives. Surgical workflow: the patient undergoes removal of the cervical stump via a vaginal approach under regional or general anesthesia. The procedure frequently includes repair of pelvic support defects — an anterior colporrhaphy for cystocele and/or a posterior colporrhaphy for rectocele — performed during the same anesthetic. Intraoperative steps include vaginal incision, dissection to expose the cervical stump, excision of cervical tissue, hemostasis, and layered closure. Postoperative care includes monitoring for bleeding, voiding assessment, pain control, antibiotics per protocol, and follow-up for wound healing and pelvic support.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (standard) | Use when no special reporting modifier is required. |
22 | Increased procedural services |