Wiki INDIRECT vs DIRECT and INCARCERATED vs STRANGULATED Inguinal Hernia (CPT)

[CNMI670]

This is my first time to code for a Hernia Repair with Mesh for an Indirect Inguinal Hernia.
Per the CPT book, I have to select between 1) reducible, 2) incarcerated, and 3) strangulated.
My conclusion is that Indirect is Incarcerated and Direct is Strangulated.
Please help.

 

[syllingk]

Not true. It is either reducible or it is not (incarcerated). The surgeon should have that in the notes. It doesn't matter if it is direct. Indirect. a total blow out.

 

[Cyndlm]

A hernia is incarcerated only if it includes bowel or omentum.

 

[thomas7331]

Per the ICD notes in the section for inguinal hernias, the terms 'incarcerated', 'irreducible', 'strangulated' and 'causing obstruction' all classify under the code for hernia 'with obstruction'. Indirect is not listed and does not imply any of these, so it wouldn't be correct to code into the 'with obstruction' classification.