CPT code | Description of CPT code | Predicted stoma procedure |
---|---|---|
44626 | Closure of enterostomy, large or small intestine; with resection and colorectal anastomosis (eg, closure of Hartmann-type procedure) | Reversal |
45110 | Proctectomy; complete, combined abdominoperineal, with colostomy | Formation |
If you work for a surgeon specializing in colorectal procedures, chances are you have seen your fair share of ostomy takedown procedures. When you first start checking CPT for a code for a “takedown,” though, you may find yourself coming up empty. The reason for this is that surgeons use the term takedown in their operative reports while CPT uses the word “closure” in the codes that cover this procedure. Both terms really have the same meaning, but until you know about the difference in language you may see in reports verses what you will see in the CPT manual, the whole thing can be pretty confusing. So let’s breakdown the terminology and codes for an “ostomy takedown” and see how that looks in CPT so you can quickly choose the correct code.
We can confirm the definition of enterostomy by breaking the word down into its parts: entero- means “of or pertaining to the intestine” (this could refer to either the small or the large intestine) while -ostomy means “an artificial opening between two structures.”. So when we put these word parts together we have “an artificial opening between ...
That’s why closing the ostomy created during a Hartmann’s procedure would typically fall under CPT 44626.
So in this procedure, you may see various parts of the intestine reconnected such as ileum to ileum, ileum to remaining colon, colon to colon, etc. If two structures other than the colon and the rectum are reconnected after removing part of the intestine and closing the ostomy site on the abdominal wall, it’s a 44625.
CPT 44626: Closure of enterostomy, large or small intestine; with resection and colorectal an astomosis (e.g., closure of Hartmann type procedure)
We first see the physician enter the abdomen (a laparotomy is an incision into the abdomen), and he finds the “transverse colonic stump” (or the part of the intestine that was stapled off in the body during the prior surgery where the ostomy was created).
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z93.3 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Z77-Z99 Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status
Coding Clinic instructed coders to assign code 0DBB0ZZ ( Excision of ileum) for the “ileostomy takedown.” There was no indication in the question that the ileum was excised. Furthermore, ICD-10-PCS’ Index to Procedures under “Takedown, Stoma directs see Repair.” It appears that the root operation “Repair” (ileum) would be more appropriate in order to capture the intent of the procedure.
Ileostomy closure (or takedown) is coded using the root operation “Excision.” During takedown surgery, an incision is made around the stoma, the intestine is pulled out of the abdominal cavity, and both ends of the intestine are excised. An anastomosis is then carried out using sutures or staples. The anastomosis is inherent to the surgery and not coded separately. According to the ICD-10-PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, “Procedural steps necessary to reach the operative site and close the operative site, including anastomosis of a tubular body part, are also not coded separately.”
Occasionally patients may develop a parastomal hernia. This occurs when the bowel bulges underneath the surgically created stoma. Use the root operation “Repair,” with the body part value “Abdominal wall,” when a parastomal hernia repair is accomplished along with stoma takedown. A separate code for the “Repair” of abdominal wall is only assigned for parastomal hernia repair. Otherwise the repair/closure of the abdominal wall is inherent to the takedown of the stoma.
The patient had previously undergone colectomy and ileostomy formation due to refractory acute diverticulitis. She now presents for reversal of the ileostomy. The surgeon excised part of the ileostomy site along with adjacent bowel to ensure removal of the diseased portion as well as ensuring that only non-damaged bowel remained. Diseased friable small bowel was excised including the site of ileostomy. Next, side-to-side anastomosis was carried out. Attention was then turned towards repair of a parastomal hernia. How should this surgery be coded?
After mobilization, both ends of the intestine are excised and end-to-end anastomosis is done. Therefore, “Excision” is the appropriate root operation for a transverse loop colostomy takedown. Occasionally, the divided portions of the colon are just sutured together without any removal, in which case “Repair” would be the appropriate root operation, although this is less commonly done currently.
A loop ileostomy is usually done as a protective measure in a surgery in which the large intestine is excised and those two ends are anastomosed. The loop ileostomy is then formed by pulling up a loop of ileum (small intestine) as a temporary measure to divert the stool to allow the colon to heal.
After anastomosing (reconnecting) the two ends of the intestine, the bowel is returned to its proper anatomical location within the abdominal cavity. “Reposition” is the appropriate root operation for a Hartmann closure or other takedown of an end stoma, because it captures the specific objective of the procedure. The root operation “Reposition” is defined as moving some or all of a body part to a normal or other suitable location.
08/2013 with Hartmann procedure with sigmoid colostomy.
transverse colon, so it would come down in the pelvis. We then put
FINDINGS: We were able to take down the patient's colon. We