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Gastroenterology Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Which Code Is Right for Fissure Cauterization?

Published on Wed May 27, 2009

Question: Our doctors cauterize fissures to stimulate granulation tissue for better healing. We are looking at 46910 or 46940. The 46940 we are not sure about because we have heard that the dilation part of it is for therapy, and we do not know if that code would be appropriate. Wisconsin Subscriber Answer: Call on 46940 (Curettage or cautery of anal fissure, including dilation of anal sphincter [separate procedure]; initial) to describe the procedure. It sounds like your physician is actually creating a lesion -- scar tissue -- rather than destroying it. An anal fissure (565.0) is an unnatural crack or tear in the anus skin. Code 46910 (Destruction of lesion[s], anus [e.g., condyloma, papilloma, molluscum contagiosum,herpetic vesicle], simple; electrodesiccation) when your physician treats symptoms caused by viral infections:warts, herpes lesions, and so on.
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