ICD-10-PCS Billable Code

0UWH37Z

Revision Vagina and Cul-de-sac to No Qualifier with Autologous Tissue Substitute, Percutaneous Approach

Procedural Specifications

Clinical Axis Detail Definition
Section0 Medical and Surgical
Body SystemU Female Reproductive System
OperationW Revision
Body PartH Vagina and Cul-de-sac
Approach3 Percutaneous
Device7 Autologous Tissue Substitute
QualifierZ No Qualifier

Operation Definition

Correcting, to the extent possible, a portion of a malfunctioning device or the position of a displaced device

Procedure Overview

This family covers procedures to fix or reposition a device that was previously implanted in the female reproductive tract, most often a vaginal pessary that has shifted, an intrauterine device that has migrated, or a mechanical component of an artificial sphincter or slings used for pelvic organ support. Revision does not replace the entire device with a new one; instead, the surgeon adjusts, repositions, or repairs the malfunctioning part while leaving as much of the original device in place as possible.

Patients typically need this procedure because a device is causing pain, has moved out of proper position, is no longer controlling symptoms such as incontinence or prolapse, or has developed a mechanical problem like a frayed mesh or displaced anchor. The goal is to restore the device to proper function without the larger recovery associated with full removal and reimplantation.

Because pelvic anatomy is compact and devices are often placed near the bladder, urethra, or bowel, revision procedures require careful surgical planning to avoid injury to nearby structures while correcting the original device's position or function.

Anatomy & Axis Detail

Vagina and Cul-de-sac

Revision of the vagina and cul-de-sac together addresses a device or a prior procedure's complication spanning these adjoining structures, most commonly seen when mesh or graft material placed during earlier prolapse repair or cul-de-sac reconstruction has eroded, migrated, or otherwise malfunctioned and requires surgical correction. Given the well-documented risks of vaginal mesh complications, including exposure through the vaginal epithelium and chronic pain, revision procedures in this region are clinically significant and often require careful dissection to remove or reposition material without injuring the adjacent rectum, bladder, or ureters. Because the vagina and cul-de-sac are treated as a single combined body part for this code, documentation should confirm that the revision addressed structures spanning both areas rather than an isolated defect confined to just one.

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: Autologous Tissue Substitute

Autologous Tissue Substitute identifies a device value where material harvested from the patient's own body, such as an autograft, is used to replace or reconstruct a body part. Its defining feature is tissue origin from the patient, setting it apart from Nonautologous Tissue Substitute, sourced from a donor or animal, and Synthetic Substitute, made of manufactured material.

Coding & Documentation

A coder assigns from this family when the operative note describes correcting, repositioning, or repairing part of an existing device rather than removing it outright. Supporting documentation should specify which device is involved (pessary, sling, IUD, artificial sphincter component), what was wrong with it, and exactly what corrective maneuver was performed, such as retensioning a sling or repositioning a shifted mesh anchor.

The most common assignment error is confusing Revision with Removal followed by a new Insertion when the surgeon actually took out the entire device and put in a brand new one; that scenario is coded as two separate root operations, not a single Revision. Another frequent mistake is coding Revision when the note only describes adjusting fit or tension of a device still functioning normally, which may not meet the threshold of correcting a malfunction and instead falls under Inspection or a different qualifier.

Commonly Confused With

RemovalRemoval is often confused with Revision, but Removal takes the device out entirely with no correction performed on remaining components, while Revision leaves the device in place and fixes only the problematic portion.
SupplementSupplement can be mistaken for Revision when reinforcing material is added to an existing repair; Supplement adds bulking or reinforcing material without correcting a malfunction, whereas Revision specifically addresses a device that is broken or displaced.