What is coded to the root operation extirpation?

The correct answer pertains to the concept of extirpation, which refers to the surgical removal of solid matter or a body part from a structure. In this case, percutaneous nephrostomy involves the placement of a catheter to drain urine from the kidney when there is an obstruction in the urinary tract. During this procedure, the obstruction (such as a stone or debris) may be removed, which embodies the essence of extirpation.

In contrast, endometrial ablation primarily focuses on destroying the endometrial lining of the uterus to treat conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding, rather than removing material from a structure. A total hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus entirely, which is more aligned with the operation of resection than extirpation. Lastly, a biopsy of the breast, while it may involve the removal of tissue for examination, does not typically fall under the classification of extirpation since it is often a diagnostic rather than a therapeutic procedure to remove solid matter from a site. Thus, the procedure of percutaneous nephrostomy is most accurately described by the root operation extirpation in the context of surgical coding.