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Official Description

Pyloromyotomy, cutting of pyloric muscle (Fredet-Ramstedt type operation)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 43520 refers to a surgical procedure known as pyloromyotomy, specifically the Fredet-Ramstedt type operation. This procedure is primarily indicated for the treatment of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, a condition that typically manifests in infants during the neonatal period. In this condition, the pylorus, which is the opening from the stomach into the small intestine, becomes abnormally thickened, leading to gastric outlet obstruction. The pyloromyotomy involves a careful surgical approach to relieve this obstruction by cutting the pyloric muscle without damaging the inner lining of the stomach (mucosa). The procedure is performed through a right upper abdominal incision, allowing access to the pylorus and surrounding structures. The goal of the surgery is to create a larger opening at the pyloric junction, facilitating the passage of food from the stomach into the intestine, thereby alleviating the symptoms associated with this condition.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The pyloromyotomy procedure, coded as CPT® 43520, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Congenital Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis This condition is characterized by the thickening of the pyloric muscle, which obstructs the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine, leading to severe vomiting and dehydration in infants.

2. Procedure

The pyloromyotomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis:

  • Step 1: Incision A right upper abdominal incision is made just below the costal margin and above the inferior aspect of the liver. This incision provides the necessary access to the abdominal cavity and the pylorus.
  • Step 2: Dissection The surgeon carefully dissects through the subcutaneous tissue to expose the muscle layer of the abdomen. This step is crucial for gaining access to the pyloric region.
  • Step 3: Mobilization of Structures The omentum and transverse colon are exposed during the dissection. The transverse colon is then mobilized to allow for better visualization and access to the stomach.
  • Step 4: Exposure of the Stomach Once the transverse colon is mobilized, the stomach is exposed. This step is essential for identifying the pylorus, which is the focus of the procedure.
  • Step 5: Incision of the Pylorus The pylorus is identified and incised longitudinally through both the serosal and muscle layers. Care is taken to avoid incising the mucosa, which is the inner lining of the stomach.
  • Step 6: Muscle Layer Manipulation The muscle layer is gently spread, allowing the mucosa to protrude up to the level of the serosa. This manipulation increases the internal opening (lumen) at the pyloric junction, facilitating better passage of food.
  • Step 7: Closure The incision made in the pylorus is left open to maintain the enlarged opening. Finally, the abdominal incision is closed in layers to ensure proper healing and minimize complications.

3. Post-Procedure

After the pyloromyotomy procedure, careful post-operative care is essential. Patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or bleeding. The expected recovery involves gradual reintroduction of feeding, starting with clear liquids and progressing to more substantial feeds as tolerated. The surgical site should be kept clean and dry, and any signs of abnormal swelling or discharge should be reported to the healthcare provider. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing process and ensure that the pyloric obstruction has been adequately resolved.

Short Descr INCISION OF PYLORIC MUSCLE
Medium Descr PYLOROMYOTOMY CUTTING PYLORIC MUSC
Long Descr Pyloromyotomy, cutting of pyloric muscle (Fredet-Ramstedt type operation)
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
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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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