Summary & Overview
CPT 59350: Repair of Uterine Laceration or Rupture via Abdominal Approach
CPT code 59350 denotes an obstetric surgical procedure to repair a uterine laceration or rupture that occurs during pregnancy using an abdominal approach. This code captures care provided in acute surgical settings when uterine integrity is compromised and prompt operative repair is required. It is clinically significant because uterine rupture or severe laceration is an obstetric emergency with implications for maternal morbidity and the need for coordinated surgical, anesthesia, and critical care resources.
Key payers covered in this national overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical context and service setting for 59350, and what typical billing considerations apply to an abdominal uterine repair performed during pregnancy. The publication outlines benchmarks and payment context where available, summarizes relevant policy or coverage themes affecting reimbursement for high-acuity obstetric surgical procedures, and highlights clinical scenarios that commonly generate use of this code. The material is intended for billing managers, coding professionals, and clinical leaders seeking clear, national-level guidance on the purpose and typical use case for CPT code 59350.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 59350 describes a surgical procedure to repair a uterine laceration or rupture that occurs during pregnancy. The procedure is performed via an abdominal approach, indicating open or exploratory abdominal surgery to inspect and repair the uterus.
Service type: Obstetric surgical repair
Typical site of service: Inpatient hospital or operating room in a hospital setting, where abdominal surgical procedures and obstetric emergencies are managed.
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 32-year-old G2P1 woman at 38 weeks’ gestation undergoes an emergency abdominal delivery for fetal distress. During the cesarean, the surgeon identifies a uterine rupture or a deep laceration of the uterine wall involving the myometrium and serosa. The patient has hemodynamic stability but ongoing uterine bleeding. The operative team performs an abdominal uterine repair to close the defect and achieve hemostasis. The workflow includes intraoperative assessment of the defect, layered uterine closure with absorbable sutures, inspection for additional injuries, possible uterine artery ligation if bleeding persists, and confirmation of hemostasis prior to abdominal closure. Postoperative care involves monitoring vital signs and uterine tone in the recovery area or labor and delivery unit, administration of uterotonics and antibiotics as indicated, and documentation of the rupture/laceration, repair technique, estimated blood loss, and any complications.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when the repair is significantly more complex or time-consuming than usual due to extensive uterine damage or dense adhesions. |
23 | Unusual anesthesia |