0UTJ0ZZ
Resection Clitoris to No Qualifier with No Device, Open Approach
Procedural Specifications
| Clinical Axis | Detail Definition |
|---|---|
| Section | 0 Medical and Surgical |
| Body System | U Female Reproductive System |
| Operation | T Resection |
| Body Part | J Clitoris |
| Approach | 0 Open |
| Device | Z No Device |
| Qualifier | Z No Qualifier |
Operation Definition
Cutting out or off, without replacement, all of a body part
Procedure Overview
Resection describes the complete surgical removal of an entire female reproductive organ or defined anatomic part, without any replacement. Hysterectomy, salpingectomy, and oophorectomy are the procedures patients most commonly associate with this family, performed for conditions ranging from cancer and fibroids to endometriosis, chronic pain, or as a preventive measure against hereditary cancer risk.
Because Resection means the entire body part is taken out rather than a portion of it, the distinction from partial removal matters clinically and surgically. A total hysterectomy removes the whole uterus, while a partial or supracervical hysterectomy leaves the cervix behind, changing both the postoperative anatomy and the code assigned. The approach used, open abdominal, laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, or vaginal, also affects surgical planning and recovery but is captured separately from the root operation itself.
Anatomy & Axis Detail
Clitoris
The clitoris is the erectile, richly innervated external genital structure situated at the anterior junction of the labia minora, composed of a visible glans and internal crura embedded in the pelvic tissue. Surgical resection of clitoral tissue is a rare and sensitive procedure, most often performed for a malignant lesion confined to the clitoris, such as vulvar cancer extending into this area, or for a symptomatic benign mass. Because of the clitoris's dense neurovascular supply and its role in sexual function, resection is approached with particular attention to minimizing nerve injury beyond what the pathology requires, and any procedure performed for non-medical reasons falls outside the scope of this therapeutic code, which applies strictly to excision of diseased tissue.
Approach: Open
Open approach means the surgeon cuts through skin, mucous membrane, or other tissue layers to physically expose the target site to view before performing the procedure. It gives direct visualization and hands-on access, distinguishing it from Percutaneous approaches where instruments pass through a small puncture without exposing the site. Open is typical for procedures needing wide access, such as most laparotomies.
Coding & Documentation
Coders assign Resection when the operative note confirms an entire organ or anatomically whole body part was removed, such as total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or complete cervical excision. The pathology report and operative note together should confirm what specifically was taken, since PCS body part values distinguish between the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes as separate structures each requiring their own code when removed.
A common error is coding a single combined value when bilateral organs are removed through separate steps, or failing to code each structure that was resected individually, such as coding only the hysterectomy and overlooking a concurrent oophorectomy. Coders should also watch for cases described as "debulking" or "cytoreduction," which may include a mix of Resection and Excision depending on whether entire organs or only portions of tissue were removed.
