tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2001 Issue 5

Reader Question: Washout of Abdomen With Zippered Mesh

"Question: Our surgeon placed mesh with a zipper on an ICU patients abdomen. Subsequently, the physician performed abdominal washouts by reopening the abdomen through the zippered mesh. The service is performed daily at the patients bedside. How do we code this?New Mexico SubscriberAnswer: Although the surgeon is irrigating the patients abdomen, the procedure described cannot be reported using codes 49080 or 49081 (peritoneocentesis, abdominal paracentesis, or peritoneal lavage [diagnostic or therapeutic]; initial/subsequent). These codes involve the insertion of a needle, which was not done in this instance, says Susan Callaway, CPC, CCS-P, a coding and reimbursement specialist and...

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