AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2020 Issue 3; Ask the Editor

Transumbilical laparoscopic assisted appendectomy

A transumbilical laparoscopic assisted appendectomy was performed on a patient with acute appendicitis. An umbilical incision was made and a single bare metal trocar was introduced. The appendix was isolated, grasped and pulled through the midline umbilical incision as the trocar was removed from the port. Once brought to the outside, the mesoappendix was divided, tied off and ligated. An endoloop was placed around the base of the appendix. A suture was then placed at the base of the appendix with another suture placed 0.5 cm distal to the base. The appendix was sharply dissected between the two ties. The remaining appendix was returned to the abdominal cavity and the trocar was reinserted to check for signs of bleeding or contamination. Sutures were placed and the skin closed. What is the correct code for a transumbilical laparoscopic assisted appendectomy? ...

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