Reconstruction

See the current version of the SEER Program Coding Manual under Reporting Guidelines, Section VII: First Course of Therapy for complete coding instructions for this data item.

In addition to surgery codes, reconstruction, or urinary diversion, is often done at the same time, especially for when radical cystectomies and are done. Urinary diversion is not done with a TURB.

For coding surgery, there are combination codes that combine the radical cystectomy (WITHOUT exenteration) with the urinary diversions below.

Procedure Comments
Ileal conduit Most common type of urinary diversion that uses part of the intestine to create a new pathway for the urine. The surgeon then attaches this to a hole in the abdomen called a stoma, which allows the urine to drain into a urostomy bag or pouch

This is also referred to as a non-continent urinary diversion
Continent reservoir or pouch, NOS A type of pouch without further specifications
Abdominal pouch (cutaneous) A pouch made from portions of the intestines which stores the urine until it is drained via a catheter inserted through the stoma
In situ pouch (orthotopic) Surgeon uses a piece of intestine and creates a new bladder, or neobladder. The new bladder is placed in the same location as the original bladder

This is also referred to as a continent urinary diversion

Other types of urinary diversions

  • Bricker's procedure (ureteral diversion through loop of ileum to abdominal stoma)
  • Kock pouch (urinary reservoir)
  • Direct cutaneous implantation of ureters
  • Ureterosigmoidostomy
  • Ileal bladder anastomosed to urethra

For more information on coding surgery for bladder, see Registry Operations - SEER Registrars (cancer.gov) for the current version of the SEER Coding Manual, Appendix C (Bladder) for complete coding instructions.

Updated: April 22, 2025