tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2002 Issue 7

Reader Question: Mesh Excision

Question: The surgeon excised Prolene mesh from an inguinal hernia site for chronic pain. The procedure was extensive and lasted longer than the original hernia repair. Should I use 49085 (Removal of peritoneal foreign body from peritoneal cavity) to report this procedure? Michigan SubscriberAnswer: The excision of the mesh certainly qualifies as removal of a foreign body. The correct code, however, is 27087 (Removal of foreign body, pelvis or hip; deep [subfascial or intramuscular]). Code 49085 is for removal of a foreign body from within the abdomen. Because this removal is performed from the outside, a 20000-series code is...

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