tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2006 Issue 6

READER QUESTIONS: Method Doesn't Matter for Control of Bleeding

Question: My doctor has been using an Argon laser to control bleeding, whether in the colon or small bowel. I have been using the code for ablation, and he believes this is wrong. Do you have any suggestions?Missouri Subscriber Answer: If the physician is controlling bleeding, you should report control-of-bleeding code 45382 (Colonoscopy, flexible, proximal to splenic flexure; with control of bleeding [e.g., injection, bipolar cautery, unipolar cautery, laser, heater probe, stapler, plasma coagulator])--regardless of the method the physician uses.Surgeons may use many of the same techniques for cauterization (to control bleeding) and for ablation. But...

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