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Official Description

Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral; with placement of endoscopic stent (includes pre- and post-dilation and guide wire passage, when performed)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral, is a medical procedure that involves the use of a flexible endoscope to visualize the esophagus. This procedure is specifically performed to place an endoscopic stent, which is a tube-like device used to keep the esophagus open in cases where it has narrowed or become obstructed. The procedure includes essential components such as pre-dilation and guide wire passage, which are critical for the successful placement of the stent. The flexible endoscope is introduced through the mouth and carefully advanced into the esophagus until it reaches the area of concern, such as a stricture or a fistula. The indications for performing this procedure often include conditions like esophageal cancer, lung cancer, or malignant bronchoesophageal fistula, which can lead to significant narrowing of the esophagus. By utilizing this technique, healthcare providers can effectively address obstructions, allowing for improved passage of food and fluids, and enhancing the patient's quality of life.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Esophagoscopy with stent placement is indicated for specific conditions that lead to narrowing or obstruction of the esophagus. The following are the primary indications for this procedure:

  • Esophageal Cancer - A malignant tumor that can cause narrowing of the esophagus, leading to difficulty swallowing.
  • Lung Cancer - In cases where lung cancer invades or compresses the esophagus, resulting in stricture formation.
  • Malignant Bronchoesophageal Fistula - An abnormal connection between the bronchial tubes and the esophagus, which can also lead to obstruction.

2. Procedure

The procedure of flexible esophagoscopy with stent placement involves several critical steps to ensure successful intervention. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Introduction of the Endoscope - The flexible endoscope is introduced through the patient's mouth and carefully advanced into the esophagus. This allows the physician to visualize the esophagus and identify the area of stricture or fistula that requires treatment.
  • Step 2: Evaluation of the Stricture - Once the endoscope reaches the stricture, the physician examines the site to determine if pre-dilation is necessary. This assessment is crucial for planning the next steps in the procedure.
  • Step 3: Pre-Dilation (if needed) - If pre-dilation is deemed necessary, a guidewire is inserted through the endoscope. Following this, a series of rigid tubes of increasing diameter are passed over the guidewire to dilate the stricture. Alternatively, a balloon catheter may be advanced to the stricture site and inflated to achieve dilation.
  • Step 4: Stent Placement - After dilation, the stent placement is performed. A guidewire is passed through the endoscope, followed by the stent delivery system, which is positioned over the guidewire and placed in the narrowed portion of the esophagus or over the fistula.
  • Step 5: Deployment of the Stent - The stent is deployed at the targeted site. To ensure proper seating of the stent, a balloon catheter may be inserted and inflated again.
  • Step 6: Verification of Stent Position - Finally, the endoscope is advanced through the stent to check its position and confirm that it has been properly deployed, ensuring that the esophagus remains open for effective passage of food and fluids.

3. Post-Procedure

After the esophagoscopy and stent placement, patients may require monitoring for any immediate complications. It is essential to assess the patient's recovery and ensure that they are stable. Post-procedure care may include instructions on dietary modifications, potential symptoms to watch for, and follow-up appointments to evaluate the stent's effectiveness and the esophagus's condition. Patients should be informed about the signs of complications, such as difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or signs of infection, and advised to seek medical attention if these occur.

Short Descr ESOPHAGOSCOP STENT PLACEMENT
Medium Descr ESOPHAGOSCOPY TRANSORAL STENT PLACEMENT
Long Descr Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral; with placement of endoscopic stent (includes pre- and post-dilation and guide wire passage, when performed)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Endoscopic Base Code 43200  Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure)
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P8B - Endoscopy - upper gastrointestinal
MUE 1
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2014-01-01 Added Added
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