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Official Description

Colectomy, partial; abdominal and transanal approach

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 44147 refers to a partial colectomy performed through both abdominal and transanal approaches. This surgical procedure involves the removal of a segment of the colon, which is typically indicated for various conditions affecting the colon, such as tumors, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. The operation begins with a midline incision in the abdomen, allowing the surgeon to access the abdominal cavity and inspect the colon. During the procedure, the specific segment of the colon that requires resection is identified and mobilized, ensuring that surrounding structures are preserved. Key vascular structures, such as the superior rectal vessels, are carefully dissected, ligated, and divided to facilitate the removal of the affected colon segment. The ureters, which are vital for urinary function, are also identified and protected throughout the procedure. The peritoneum is incised to enter the presacral space, where further dissection is performed down to the pelvic floor. An elliptical incision is made around the anus to free the rectum from surrounding tissues, allowing for the transection of the colon above and below the diseased segment. After the removal of the affected portion, the anal incision is closed, and the remaining segments of the bowel are sutured together in a process known as anastomosis. Finally, drains may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation, and the abdominal incision is closed in layers to promote healing.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 44147 is indicated for various conditions affecting the colon. These may include:

  • Colon Tumors The presence of malignant or benign tumors within the colon that necessitate surgical removal.
  • Diverticulitis Inflammation or infection of diverticula in the colon, which may require resection if conservative treatments fail.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Conditions such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis that result in significant damage to the colon.
  • Colonic Obstruction Blockages in the colon that may be due to various causes, including strictures or adhesions.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 44147 involves several critical steps, each essential for the successful resection of the affected colon segment:

  • Step 1: Abdominal Incision A midline incision is made in the abdomen to provide access to the abdominal cavity. This allows the surgeon to inspect the colon and surrounding structures thoroughly.
  • Step 2: Identification and Mobilization The segment of the colon that is to be resected is identified and mobilized. This step is crucial for ensuring that the diseased portion can be removed without damaging adjacent tissues.
  • Step 3: Vascular Dissection The superior rectal vessels are located and carefully dissected from the sacral promontory. These vessels are then ligated and divided to prevent excessive bleeding during the resection.
  • Step 4: Ureter Protection The ureters, which are responsible for transporting urine from the kidneys to the bladder, are identified and protected throughout the procedure to avoid injury.
  • Step 5: Peritoneal Incision The peritoneum is incised to enter the presacral space, allowing for further dissection down to the pelvic floor.
  • Step 6: Rectal Incision An elliptical incision is made around the anus, and the rectum is freed from surrounding tissue, facilitating access to the colon.
  • Step 7: Colon Transection The colon is clamped above and below the planned transection sites. The diseased segment is then transected and removed from the body.
  • Step 8: Closure of Anal Incision The anal incision is closed to restore the integrity of the anal canal.
  • Step 9: Bowel Anastomosis The remaining distal and proximal segments of the bowel are sutured together in a process known as anastomosis, allowing for continuity of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Step 10: Drain Placement and Abdominal Closure Drains may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation, and the abdominal incision is closed in layers to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure, patients typically require monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or bleeding. Post-operative care may include pain management, fluid and electrolyte balance, and gradual reintroduction of diet as tolerated. The expected recovery period can vary based on the patient's overall health and the extent of the surgery, but patients are generally advised to follow up with their healthcare provider for ongoing assessment and management of their condition.

Short Descr PARTIAL REMOVAL OF COLON
Medium Descr COLECTOMY PRTL ABDOMINAL & TRANSANAL APPROACH
Long Descr Colectomy, partial; abdominal and transanal approach
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) P1B - Major procedure - colectomy
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 78 - Colorectal resection

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

44139 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Mobilization (take-down) of splenic flexure performed in conjunction with partial colectomy (List separately in addition to primary procedure)
96547 Add On Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure, including separate incision(s) and closure, when performed; first 60 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
96548 Add On Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure, including separate incision(s) and closure, when performed; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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.)
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
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
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2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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