Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What surgical and anesthesia codes should I report for a colostomy takedown?


North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: Begin with CPT 44620-44661 for closures of the small intestine and stoma, and narrow your choices. Your best bet is probably 44620 (Closure of enterostomy; large or small intestine).

Code 44620 crosses to anesthesia codes 00790 (Anesthesia for intraperitoneal procedures in upper abdomen including laparoscopy; not otherwise specified) and 00840 (Anesthesia for intraperitoneal procedures in lower abdomen including laparoscopy; not otherwise specified). Code the anesthesia based on whether the physician dealt with the upper or lower abdominal area.