General Surgery Coding Alert
Match Anatomy to Colon Resection Case
Question: How should we code an open, low-anterior colon resection with diverting ileostomy? The procedure results in removal of a portion of the sigmoid colon and rectum.
Answer: Although your description lacks significant detail to ensure correct coding, it appears that the best choice for the procedure is as follows:
44145 -- Colectomy, partial; with coloproctostomy (low pelvic anastomosis)
44310 -- Ileostomy or jejunostomy, non-tube
Because you state that the removed tissue includes a portion of the sigmoid colon and rectum, and that this is a low-anterior procedure, 44145 appears to be the best choice. You should additionally code the diverting ileostomy as 44310
Although there is a single code for colon resection and ostomy (44144, Colectomy, partial; with resection, with colostomy or ileostomy and creation of microfistula), it doesn’t appear to adequately represent the procedure you describe.
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Match Anatomy to Colon Resection Case
Question: How should we code an open, low-anterior colon resection with diverting ileostomy? The procedure [...]
