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Official Description

Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral; with dilation of esophagus, by balloon or dilator, retrograde (includes fluoroscopic guidance, 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 designed for the dilation of the esophagus, which is often necessary when there is a stricture, or narrowing, of the esophagus. Strictures can occur due to various reasons, including complications from radiation therapy to the head and neck region or as a result of surgical procedures such as esophagectomy, where part of the esophagus is removed and reconstructed using gastric or colonic tissue. The retrograde approach refers to the method of accessing the esophagus from the stomach, which is particularly useful in cases where traditional access may be challenging. During the procedure, fluoroscopic guidance may be utilized to enhance visualization and ensure accurate placement of instruments. The dilation can be performed using either a balloon catheter or a series of dilators, allowing for effective widening of the narrowed area. This procedure not only aims to alleviate symptoms associated with esophageal strictures but also to ensure the integrity of the esophagus is maintained throughout the process.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral, with dilation of the esophagus, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Esophageal Stricture - This procedure is performed to treat a narrowing of the esophagus, which can lead to difficulty swallowing and other complications.
  • Post-Radiation Therapy Complications - It is particularly indicated for patients who have developed strictures following radiation therapy to the head and neck region.
  • Post-Esophagectomy Reconstruction - The procedure is also indicated for patients who have undergone esophagectomy and subsequent gastric or colonic reconstruction of the esophagus.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective dilation of the esophagus:

  • Step 1: Preparation and Access - The patient is positioned appropriately, and sedation may be administered. The flexible endoscope is introduced transorally, allowing access to the esophagus.
  • Step 2: Fluoroscopic Guidance - If necessary, fluoroscopic guidance is utilized to enhance visualization of the esophagus and the stricture during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Guidewire Advancement - A guidewire is advanced retrograde from the stomach into the esophagus, passing through the stricture. This is achieved by using a second endoscope that is introduced through the mouth to pull the guidewire into position.
  • Step 4: Balloon Catheter Insertion - A deflated balloon catheter is then advanced retrograde through the instrument channel of the endoscope and over the guidewire, positioning it at the middle of the stricture.
  • Step 5: Balloon Inflation - The balloon is inflated while monitoring the pressure gauge to determine the optimal level of inflation. This inflation is maintained for a short duration, typically between 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
  • Step 6: Deflation and Removal - After the inflation period, the balloon is deflated and removed from the esophagus.
  • Step 7: Alternative Dilation Method - Alternatively, if needed, a series of rigid tubes of increasing diameter may be passed over the guidewire to further dilate the stricture.
  • Step 8: Final Inspection - Upon completion of the dilation, the entire circumference of the esophagus is inspected as the scopes are withdrawn to ensure adequate dilation and to verify that no damage has occurred during the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the esophagoscopy and dilation procedure, patients may be monitored for any immediate complications. It is important to assess the patient's ability to swallow and to watch for signs of esophageal perforation or bleeding. Patients may be advised to follow a specific diet, often starting with liquids and gradually progressing to solid foods as tolerated. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to evaluate the effectiveness of the dilation and to monitor for any recurrence of strictures. Documentation of the procedure and any findings should be completed to ensure continuity of care and proper coding for billing purposes.

Short Descr ESOPHAGOSCOPY RETRO BALLOON
Medium Descr ESOPHAGOSCOPY RETROGRADE DILATE BALLOON/OTHER
Long Descr Esophagoscopy, flexible, transoral; with dilation of esophagus, by balloon or dilator, retrograde (includes fluoroscopic guidance, 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 Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
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).
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.
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.)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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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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