Urology Coding Alert
You Be the Coder:
Here's the Best Code for Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy
Published on Mon Jul 18, 2016
Question: A patient had a retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy due to urothelial carcinoma of the left renal pelvis. The surgeon performed left robotic-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. How should we code the lymphadenectomy?
Virginia Subscriber
Answer: Bill the unlisted code 38589 (Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, lymphatic system) and benchmark it to the open code 38780 (Retroperitoneal transabdominal lymphadenectomy, extensive, including pelvic, aortic, and renal nodes [separate procedure]). Also include code 50548 (Laparoscopy, surgical; nephrectomy with total ureterectomy) for the laparoscopic total nephroureterectomy.
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