icd-9 code for argon plasma coagulator

Full Answer

What is argon plasma coagulation?

1.1 Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC™) APC™ is a monopolar electrosurgical procedure in which electrical energy is transferred to the target tissue using ionized and, thus, conductive argon gas (argon plasma), without the electrode coming into direct contact with the tissue (Fig. 1).

Is argon plasma coagulation amenable to bicap therapy?

The physician determined this was not amenable to BICAP therapy. The patient now presents for repeat gastroscopy with argon plasma coagulation to destroy all visible bleeders with a non-contact method.

Is argon coagulation effective in the treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis?

"Argon plasma coagulation in the treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis is efficient but requires a perfect colonic cleansing to be safe". European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 16 (12): 1315–8. doi: 10.1097/00042737-200412000-00013.

Is argon plasma coagulation more time-consuming than routine surveillance endoscopy?

While these results look promising, ablation with argon plasma coagulation is more time-consuming than routine surveillance endoscopy, participants who have had argon plasma coagulation still need endoscopic surveillance and in this particular study, at least some of the metaplastic columnar mucosa recurred during the first 12 months.

How do you code Argon Plasma Coagulation?

Code 43255 describes EGD with control of bleeding by any method. APC involves using argon gas and electrical current to seal irregular tissue without any direct contact. This technique is useful in treating conditions such as Barrett's esophagus, esophageal cancer, rectal bleeding (post-radiation proctitis) and...

What is argon beam coagulator?

Listen to pronunciation. (AR-gon beem coh-A-gyuh-LAY-ter a-BLAY-shun) A procedure that destroys tissue with an electrical current passed through a stream of argon gas to the tissue. It is used to treat endometriosis and other conditions, and to stop blood loss during surgery.

What is Argon Plasma Coagulation used for?

Argon plasma coagulation (APC), sometimes referred to as argon photocoagulation, is a medical procedure that uses argon gas during a colonoscopy or an upper endoscopy to control bleeding from certain lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.

What is EGD with APC?

EGD is a procedure used to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract (from esophagus to forth part of duodenum) using a flexible video endoscope. APC is a type of non-contact thermal therapy used during EGD to obtain hemostasis or tissue destruction.

Is Argon Plasma Coagulation the same as ablation?

Conclusions: RFA and APC were both effective in treating bleeding from GAVE. Though we found subtle differences, patients underwent a similar number of treatment sessions and had similar procedure times and a similar time between sessions no matter the treatment modality used.

Is Argon Plasma Coagulation a laser?

Contrary to a common misconception, argon plasma coagulation (APC) is not a laser. This technology uses argon gas to deliver plasma of evenly distributed thermal energy to a field of tissue adjacent to the probe.

What happens after argon plasma coagulation?

After APC, you are discharged home on the same day and may go back to work the next day. During recovery, you are first prescribed a special liquid meal plan. Over time, you transition to a soft food plan (including easy-to-eat foods, like oatmeal, bananas, and soft-cooked rice) and then return to normal eating.

What color is argon plasma?

bluish pink colorArgon plasma has bluish pink color and nearly uniform.

How effective is argon plasma coagulation?

Results: At a median follow-up of 11 months, ten patients (83 percent) had a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of bleeding, with complete cessation in six (50 percent).

What is APC for liver?

Background and aim: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a cause of bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the most used endoscopic treatment for GAVE-related bleeding.

What does EGD stand for?

EGD is an endoscopic procedure that allows your doctor to examine your esophagus, stomach and duodenum (part of your small intestine).

Is an EGD a diagnostic test?

An EGD test is a diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedure used to help in the diagnosis or treatment of stomach/duodenal ulcers, inflammation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cancer, or dysphagia (swallowing problems) and other problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

What is APC in medical terms?

Argon plasma coagulation ( APC) is a medical endoscopic procedure used to control bleeding from certain lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. It is administered during esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy .

Is it safe to coagulate a cecum?

As no physical contact is made with the lesion, the procedure is safe if the bowel has been cleaned of colonic gases, and can be used to treat bleeding in parts of the gastrointestinal tract with thin walls, such as the cecum. The depth of coagulation is usually only a few millimetres.

What is the code for incomplete colonoscopy?

7. Incomplete Colonoscopy – The inability to extend beyond the splenic flexure is billed and paid using colonoscopy code 45378 with modifier –53.

Do colonoscopy and EGD need a modifier?

5. EGD and colonoscopies performed at the same session do not need a –59 modifier on either procedure as they are not bundled together.

Is anemia unspecified covered by Medicare?

9. Anemia unspecified (285.9) is not covered by most Medicare payers for colonoscopy and/or upper GI endoscopy. •Be specific as to iron deficiency anemia substantiated by iron studies. •This needs to be in the report. 280.0 or 280.9 is most often a covered contributing diagnosis.

What is argon plasma coagulation?

Argon plasma coagulation: A non-contact thermal technique which uses ionized argon gas to deliver a high-frequency current which coagulates tissue.#N#CPT 43229 Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral; with ablation of tumor (s), polyp (s), or other lesion (s) (includes pre- and post-dilation and guide wire passage, when performed) [when specified as cryoablation, laser ablation, electrocoagulation or argon plasma coagulation]

What is the CPT code for endoscopy?

CPT CODE 43229 AND 43270 - Colonoscopy and Endoscopy billing procedure.

What happens to the plasma in the precise APC mode?

Fig. 5: With the PRECISE APC mode, the intensity of the plasma increases when the Effect setting is increased.

What is APC in surgery?

APC™ is a monopolar electrosurgical procedure in which electrical energy is transferred to the target tissue using ionized and, thus, conductive argon gas (argon plasma), without the electrode coming into direct contact with the tissue (Fig. 1).

How to activate APC instrument?

To have attached APC instruments ready for immediate activation, the instruments should be filled with argon gas prior to the first application. This can be carried out manually by using the purge button(Fig. 7).

What is the precise APC mode?

The PRECISE APC mode has an automatic adjustment control which adjusts the argon plasma regardless of the impedance of the overall system (plasma regulation).

What is an APC probe?

In principle, APC probes differ according to their: diameter (working) length tip design (e.g., circumferential) The length of the endoscope and the size of a working channel being used will dictate the diameter of the APC probe being employed. The distal tip design will determine the direction of the argon gas flow and, for the most part, the plasma direction (Fig.8a) which will create various plasma and tissue effects (Fig. 8b). There is a choice of Axial (A) StraightFire probes (axial probe tip), SideFire (S) probes (lateral probe tip), and Circumferential (C) probes (circular/360° radius, probe tip).

How many watts does a high frequency VIO use?

High-frequency voltage increases when the output setting (i.e., wattage) is increased (Fig. 3) High-frequency output can be adjusted to a maximum of 120 watts Consistent firing at 30 watts or above with an application distance of up to 5 mm Continuous application of energy (Fig. 3) Improved efficiency due to the technology of the VIO Systems: Tissue effect around 50% higher than ICC System technology when using the same output settings

Can APC be used for bleeding ulcers?

Current ongoing clinical studies have indicated that while the use of APC for the hemostasis of bleeding peptic ulcers is not yet commonly used, it has been shown useful in limited reports.7,