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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Removal of Ventral-Wall Mesh

Published on Tue Oct 01, 2002

Question: How should I code the removal of ventral-wall infected mesh from a prior recurrent ventral-wall hernia? Virginia Subscriber Answer: Carrier preference dictates the most appropriate codes for this procedure. The surgeon will probably use 49999 (Unlisted procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentum) and diagnosis code 996.60 (Infection and inflammatory reaction due to internal prosthetic device, implant and graft). The best anesthesia code will vary according to the procedure site. Possibilities include 00700 (Anesthesia for procedures on upper anterior abdominal wall; not otherwise specified), 00752 (Anesthesia for hernia repairs in upper abdomen; lumbar and ventral [incisional] hernias and/or wound dehiscence) or 00840 (Anesthesia for intraperitoneal procedures in lower abdomen including laparoscopy; not otherwise specified).  
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