• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten the password it can be reset on our sign in section by entering your registered Email Address or Username here. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..

Wiki Post surgical abdominal wall exploration, debridement, and irrigation wound cpt code

loriroberts36

Contributor
Messages
11
Location
Columbus, OH
Best answers
0
The patient recently had herniorrhaphy with mesh a few weeks prior with another surgeon. Soon after he developed an abscess and went to a separate wound clinic where they did an I&D of the abscess which was noted to have MRSA. He is now at a different facility and sees my surgeon at the hospital. He performs the following procedure.

POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS:* Postsurgical abdominal wall abscess.
*
PROCEDURES PERFORMED:
1. Exploration of abdominal wall abscess.
2. Debridement of 100 square centimeter with sharp debridement.
3. Pulsavac/irrigation of abdominal wall.
*
ANESTHESIA:* General.
*
INDICATIONS FOR PROCEDURE:* This 51-year-old male, who recently underwent an
umbilical herniorrhaphy with mesh.* He states a couple of weeks afterwards, he
started noticing a pocket of fluid was concern and saw surgeon.* The surgeon
did not prescribe any antibiotics.* Following that he did present to the Wound
Care Clinic and was noted to have an abscess.* It was drained and noted to
have MRSA.* With the drainage, the area was packed and started on antibiotics.
I was then consulted for possible surgical excision of abscess.
*
DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE:* The patient was brought down to the preoperative
holding, identified to be the correct patient, and site was marked.* The
patient was explained risks, benefits, alternatives, and complications of
procedure, wished to have the procedure done.* Consent was signed which was
then placed on chart.* The patient was then brought back to surgical suite,
placed in supine position.* The patient was then intubated via Anesthesiology
Department and placed under general anesthesia.* The patient was then prepped
and draped in usual sterile fashion.* Time-out was then performed.* Once this
was done, I did open up the abscess and noted that there was a significant
amount of fluid in there.* This was clear in nature.* Once this was done, I
then did a sharp debridement with both electrocautery as well as knife;
however, roughly 100 square centimeter of abdominal adipose tissue.* Once this
was completed, I did note in the most right superior lateral portion of the
incision, there was a portion of exposed mesh roughly 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm.* At
this time, I did take a Pulsavac compulsive at the area significantly to allow
for getting clean edges of the tissue and allow for proper hemostasis.* Once
this was done, I then placed a Betadine-soaked Kerlix into the abdominal wound
to begin the process of getting granulation over this area to see if we can
get it to heal without any issues.* Once complete, the patient was then awoke
from anesthesia, extubated, and taken back to PACU in stable condition.* All
instrument, sponge, and needle counts were correct at the end of the
procedure, and I was present for the duration of procedure

Do I code 10180-78, I&D of complex, postoperative wound infection and 11005-78 for the extensive debridement of the 100 square centimeter of abdominal adipose tissue? Any guidance is appreciated.
 
Top