tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2014 Issue 1

Reader Question: Choose 'Pexy' Over 'Ectomy'

Question: I have a surgical note that states that the surgeon “stapled prolapsed internal hemorrhoids.” Is this 46945, since the hemorrhoids are internal and the surgeon doesn’t use a rubber band? Georgia Subscriber Answer: No, you should not use 46945 (Hemorrhoidectomy, internal, by ligation other than rubber band; single hemorrhoid column/group) if the surgeon repairs prolapsed internal hemorrhoids by stapling them. In fact, the procedure you describe is not a hemorrhoidectomy at all, because the surgeon doesn’t remove the hemorrhoids. Instead, the surgeon repairs the prolapse by stapling the hemorrhoids in the anal canal. This...

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