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Official Description

Gastrotomy; with suture repair of bleeding ulcer

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 43501 involves a surgical intervention known as a gastrotomy, which is the creation of an incision into the stomach. This specific procedure is performed primarily for the suture repair of a bleeding ulcer. A bleeding ulcer is a condition where an open sore in the stomach lining causes significant bleeding, necessitating surgical intervention to prevent further complications. The gastrotomy allows the physician to access the stomach directly, enabling them to locate the ulcer and control the bleeding effectively. The procedure may also be relevant in cases of esophagogastric lacerations, commonly referred to as Mallory-Weiss tears, which can occur due to severe vomiting or other trauma. In such cases, the surgeon can identify the laceration, control any bleeding, and perform necessary repairs. The overall goal of this procedure is to stabilize the patient by addressing the source of bleeding and promoting healing within the stomach.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 43501 is indicated for specific conditions that require surgical intervention to manage bleeding within the stomach. The following are the primary indications for performing a gastrotomy with suture repair:

  • Bleeding Ulcer The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a bleeding ulcer in the stomach, which can lead to significant blood loss and requires immediate surgical repair.
  • Esophagogastric Laceration This procedure may also be indicated for the repair of a pre-existing esophagogastric laceration, commonly known as a Mallory-Weiss tear, which can occur due to severe vomiting or trauma.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 43501 involves several critical steps to ensure effective repair of the bleeding ulcer. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Incision The procedure begins with the surgeon making an incision in the abdomen to access the stomach. This incision allows for direct visualization and manipulation of the stomach and surrounding structures.
  • Step 2: Exposure of the Stomach Once the incision is made, the surgeon carefully exposes the stomach, ensuring that the area is adequately visualized for the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 3: Palpation and Identification of the Ulcer The surgeon palpates the stomach to locate the site of the bleeding ulcer. This step is crucial for determining the exact location of the ulcer that requires repair.
  • Step 4: Incision of the Stomach After identifying the ulcer, the surgeon incises the stomach at the site of the ulcer. This incision allows for evacuation of any blood and facilitates access to the ulcer itself.
  • Step 5: Control of Bleeding The surgeon controls the bleeding by applying pressure to the ulcer using a finger inserted into the ulcer crater. This step is essential to halt the bleeding before further intervention.
  • Step 6: Suture Ligation Once the bleeding has been controlled, the surgeon proceeds to suture ligate the blood vessels that are contributing to the bleeding. This step is critical for ensuring that the ulcer is properly repaired and that bleeding does not resume.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the gastrotomy and suture repair, the patient will require careful monitoring and post-operative care. This includes observation for any signs of complications such as infection, bleeding, or issues related to the healing of the stomach. The recovery process may involve pain management, dietary modifications, and gradual reintroduction of oral intake as tolerated. The healthcare team will provide specific instructions regarding activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and recovery.

Short Descr SURGICAL REPAIR OF STOMACH
Medium Descr GASTROTOMY W/SUTURE REPAIR BLEEDING ULCER
Long Descr Gastrotomy; with suture repair of bleeding ulcer
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple 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) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 94 - Other OR upper GI therapeutic procedures
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).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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
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