51880 Repair of bladder opening
Also known as: bladder fistula repair, vesical defect closure
Surgical repair of a bladder fistula, an abnormal opening in the bladder wall that allows urine to leak into surrounding tissues. This procedure involves identifying and closing the defect with sutures.
In Plain Language
fixing a hole in the bladder; closing a urine leak
Clinical Context
Performed for bladder fistulas from trauma, prior surgery, or urinary obstruction complications. Allows restoration of normal urinary function and prevents chronic infection or skin damage.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 7.67 |
| Total RVU | 7.67 |
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 7.67, this code ranks in the 49th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.0x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 51880?
CPT 51880 (Repair of bladder opening) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of a bladder fistula, an abnormal opening in the bladder wall that allows urine to leak into surrounding tissues. This procedure involves identifying and closing the defect with sutures.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 51880?
The work RVU for CPT 51880 is 7.67. This code is primarily used by Urology, General Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 51880 used?
Performed for bladder fistulas from trauma, prior surgery, or urinary obstruction complications. Allows restoration of normal urinary function and prevents chronic infection or skin damage.
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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.