AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2002 Third Quarter

Thoracoscopic Pleural Biopsy

The patient underwent exploratory thoracoscopy and pleural biopsy. In the operative note the surgeon stated that a thorough examination of the pleural cavity was carried out and pleural biopsies were taken from abnormal sites of both the parietal and visceral pleura. When queried about the procedure performed, the surgeon stated that the thoracoscopy involved more than just the operative approach. It included visual inspection of the pleura, which was required from a clinical perspective. Since the thoracoscopy was done for exploratory purposes (diagnostic), should it be coded as well as the pleural biopsy? ...

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