Question:
Answer:
No, you should not report 49080 (Peritoneocentesis, abdominal paracentesis, or peritoneal lavage [diagnostic or therapeutic]; initial). That code is for percutaneous peritoneocentesis, not for lavage (or any other type of fluid instillation into the abdomen) during another procedure.Bottom line:
The peritoneal lavage is not separately codeable with the catheter placement (49421, Insertion of intraperitoneal cannula or catheter for drainage or dialysis; permanent). The lavage was basically just the surgeon checking his work and is part of the procedure.