tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2009 Issue 4

Reader Questions: Offer Additional Info for Lap to Open Conversions

Question: What is the correct code for an exploratory laparoscopy converted to an open cholecystectomy? The only code I can think of is 47480 but I don't think that is the correct code to use. Maryland Subscriber Answer:You should report 47600 (Cholecyst-ectomy) for this procedure. Code 47480 (Cholecystotomy or cholecystostomy with exploration, drainage, or removal of calculus [separate procedure]) is for cholecystostomy, but in this case you indicate that the surgeon removed the gallbladder, so 47600 would be the appropriate code. If during a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon converts to an open surgery, you should only report the open...

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