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Is there some type of hierarchy for how to code hernia repairs? For instance, if the surgeon states he did a epigastric incisional hernia repair, is this coded as an epigastric hernia repair or as an incisional hernia repair?
If it is documented as an epigastric incisional hernia, i would code as an epigastric hernia. there is no hierarchy of hernia repairs, i would just code what is documented even though he has epigastric and incisional in the same sentence the epigastric is a more specified repair and i would code that one.