ICD-10-PCS Billable Code

0VLN3CZ

Occlusion Vas Deferens, Right to No Qualifier with Extraluminal Device, Percutaneous Approach

Procedural Specifications

Clinical Axis Detail Definition
Section0 Medical and Surgical
Body SystemV Male Reproductive System
OperationL Occlusion
Body PartN Vas Deferens, Right
Approach3 Percutaneous
DeviceC Extraluminal Device
QualifierZ No Qualifier

Operation Definition

Completely closing an orifice or the lumen of a tubular body part

Procedure Overview

Occlusion procedures in the male reproductive system close off a tubular structure so that material can no longer pass through it, and the vas deferens is the body part most often involved. The classic example is vasectomy, where each vas deferens is tied, clipped, cauterized, or otherwise sealed to prevent sperm from reaching the ejaculate, providing a permanent method of contraception.

These procedures are usually performed in an office or outpatient setting under local anesthesia and are chosen by men who have decided they do not want to father children in the future. Because the goal is complete closure rather than narrowing or removal, the approach can vary from a traditional incisional technique to a no-scalpel method, but the underlying objective, blocking the lumen entirely, stays the same.

Anatomy & Axis Detail

Vas Deferens, Right

The right vas deferens carries sperm from the right epididymis toward the ejaculatory duct, and its occlusion is the defining step of a right-sided vasectomy, performed by ligating, clipping, or cauterizing the duct to prevent sperm from reaching the ejaculate. The procedure is typically approached through a small scrotal incision or puncture, isolating the vas within the spermatic cord before interrupting it, and is usually paired with an identical procedure on the opposite side during the same encounter. Occlusion here is distinct from occlusion of the spermatic cord itself, since only the ductal component is closed while the accompanying blood vessels are left intact, preserving testicular perfusion and hormone production despite the interruption of sperm transport.

Approach: Percutaneous

Percutaneous describes entry by needle or instrument puncture through the skin or mucous membrane to reach the site of the procedure, without cutting the tissue open or using a visualizing scope. It differs from Open in that the site itself is never exposed, and from Percutaneous Endoscopic in that no endoscope is used to see internal structures. Common examples include needle biopsies and injections.

Device: Extraluminal Device

Extraluminal Device describes a device positioned on the outside surface of a tubular or hollow body part rather than within its lumen, such as a vascular banding or external stabilization device. It is the structural counterpart to Intraluminal Device, distinguished by its external placement relative to the vessel or duct wall rather than sitting inside the passageway itself.

Coding & Documentation

Coders assign an Occlusion code when documentation confirms the vas deferens (or another applicable structure) was completely closed, using terms like ligated, clipped, cauterized, or sealed with no opening left. The operative note should specify whether both sides were done bilaterally or only one, since laterality affects body part selection, and should describe the technique used to determine the correct approach value.

A common mistake is confusing occlusion with excision when a segment of the vas deferens is actually removed rather than just closed off; if a portion of the duct is cut out, Excision may need to be considered alongside or instead of Occlusion depending on the technique documented. Coders should also confirm bilaterality is explicitly stated rather than assumed, since an incomplete note describing only one side changes the code selection.

Commonly Confused With

ExcisionOcclusion is frequently confused with Excision, since a vasectomy often includes removing a small segment of the vas deferens in addition to sealing the ends; when both an excised segment and closure of the remaining ends are documented, coders must review guidance on reporting multiple root operations versus one that fully captures the objective.
RestrictionIt is also distinguished from Restriction, which narrows a lumen rather than closing it completely, and from Release, which frees a structure rather than blocking it.