tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2011 Issue 3

Reader Questions: Distinguish Partial/Total Colectomy

Question: Does the following note for a laparoscopic procedure describe a partial or total colectomy, and what is the proper code for the procedure? "The mid-sigmoid colon was grasped and then resection was performed utilizing the GIA staple gun and a ligature instrument to transect the mesocolon. Two colotomy incisions were performed on anti-mesocolon border and a staple gun was utilized to perform a functional end-to-end anastomosis."Answer: The procedure you describe involves a partial colectomy, but this portion of the operative note doesn't provide enough information to assign a specific code.Partial vs. total: Total colectomy involves removal...

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