tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2002 Issue 9

Reader Question: Laparotomy and Decompression With Adhesions

Question: How should we report an exploratory laparotomy, lysis of adhesions and decompression of small bowel obstruction for a patient with an incomplete small bowel obstruction secondary to adhesions? Missouri SubscriberAnswer: A patient may develop adhesions due to surgery, radiation, blunt trauma or infection, among other reasons. Because the organs in the abdominal region are in close proximity, the adhesions can cause the small bowel to adhere to itself or other organs, which can cause an obstruction (560.81, Other specified intestinal obstruction; intestinal or peritoneal adhesions with obstruction [postoperative] [postinfection]). The appropriate code for lysis of abdominal adhesions...

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