tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2001 Issue 5

Reader Question: Laparoscopically Assisted Colectomy

Question: How do I code a laparoscopically assisted colectomy? Specifically, my surgeon used a laparoscope to mobilize the colon, but the colectomy itself was performed through a separate incision. After the colon was mobilized, the camera was removed but the trocars were left in place. An incision (similar to a small appendix transverse incision) was made to open the abdominal cavity. The cecum, terminal ileum and a portion of the ascending colon were brought through the incision for resection and anastomosis.Virginia SubscriberAnswer: The correct code for this procedure is 44202 (intestinal resection, with anastomosis [intra or extracorporeal]), says...

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