Wiki CPT code? - The physician performed

[GSCoder07]

The physician performed an open exploratory laparotomy but noticed the pancreas was "inflamed with a lot of surrounding fat saponification" so she drained it. She also noted that there was no active bleeding and the pancreas was not necrotic. In the deifinition for exploratory laparotomy it mentions that nothing therapeutic is performed so I can't use that one. I can only use a CPT code for the drainage of the pancreas. Any ideas on what CPT code would be used?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you!!

 

[lponder18]

appropriate modifier??

Coding Guidance
Exploratory laparotomy is not reported with an open abdominal procedure.
Surgical field exploration to identify anatomical structures and anomalies
is routine with open surgery. If abnormalities identified during open surgery
through routine exploration require an enlarged surgical field and make the
procedure unusual, then the appropriate modifier for an unusual service
provided may be appended.
49000 Exploratory laparotomy, exploratory celiotomy with or
without biopsy(s) (separate procedure)

I'm fairly new at coding so I don't know if this would help or not.

 

[GSCoder07]

Thank you for taking the time to reply lponder18. I appreciate it!