51045 Incise bladder/drainage ureter
Also known as: cystotomy for ureteral drainage, bladder incision for ureteral obstruction
Incision of bladder with drainage of ureteral obstruction, surgical opening of bladder to relieve ureteral obstruction or drain ureteral calculus.
In Plain Language
opening bladder to relieve ureter blockage
Clinical Context
Used for acute ureteral obstruction with need for urgent decompression. Provides direct access to relieve obstruction.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 7.61 |
| Total RVU | 7.61 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 7.61, this code ranks in the 48th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.1x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 51045?
CPT 51045 (Incise bladder/drainage ureter) is a Surgery code. Incision of bladder with drainage of ureteral obstruction, surgical opening of bladder to relieve ureteral obstruction or drain ureteral calculus.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 51045?
The work RVU for CPT 51045 is 7.61. This code is primarily used by Urology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 51045 used?
Used for acute ureteral obstruction with need for urgent decompression. Provides direct access to relieve obstruction.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.