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Official Description

Laparoscopy, surgical; colectomy, total, abdominal, with proctectomy, with ileostomy

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 44212 refers to a laparoscopic surgical technique for performing a total abdominal colectomy with proctectomy and ileostomy. In simpler terms, this involves the surgical removal of the entire colon and rectum through minimally invasive techniques. The term 'laparoscopy' indicates that the surgery is conducted using small incisions and specialized instruments, which allows for reduced recovery time and less postoperative pain compared to traditional open surgery. The procedure begins with the creation of a small incision near the umbilicus, through which a trocar is inserted to establish pneumoperitoneum, or the inflation of the abdominal cavity with gas to create a working space. Additional incisions are made in the upper and lower quadrants of the abdomen to facilitate the insertion of more trocars, enabling the surgeon to access and inspect the abdominal cavity thoroughly. The surgical steps involve mobilizing the colon, dividing its attachments, and carefully removing the rectum, followed by the creation of an ileostomy, which is an opening in the abdominal wall for the ileum to exit the body. This procedure is typically indicated for conditions such as severe inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, or other significant colonic disorders that necessitate the removal of the colon and rectum.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy with proctectomy and ileostomy is indicated for several specific medical conditions. These include:

  • Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease Conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease that have not responded to medical management may necessitate this surgical intervention.
  • Colorectal Cancer Patients diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum may require this procedure to remove malignant tissue and prevent further spread of the disease.
  • Colonic Obstruction Situations where there is a blockage in the colon that cannot be resolved through less invasive means may warrant a colectomy.
  • Familial Polyposis Genetic conditions that lead to the development of numerous polyps in the colon, increasing the risk of cancer, may also require this extensive surgical approach.

2. Procedure

The laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy with proctectomy and ileostomy involves several detailed procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Establishing Access The procedure begins with the creation of a small incision near the umbilicus, where a trocar is inserted to establish pneumoperitoneum. This inflation of the abdominal cavity allows for better visualization and access to the internal organs.
  • Step 2: Insertion of Additional Trocars Following the establishment of pneumoperitoneum, additional portal incisions are made in the upper and lower quadrants of the abdomen. Trocars are placed through these incisions to facilitate the use of laparoscopic instruments.
  • Step 3: Inspection and Mobilization of the Colon The abdominal cavity is inspected, and the entire colon is mobilized. This begins with the division of the lateral peritoneal attachments and the separation of the omentum from the transverse colon.
  • Step 4: Division of the Mesentery The mesentery of the colon is divided, starting from the left colon and continuing proximally. This step is crucial for freeing the colon from its vascular supply.
  • Step 5: Bowel Division The bowel is then divided in the ileum, just proximal to the ileocecal valve, which is the junction between the small intestine and the colon.
  • Step 6: Rectal Dissection Attention is then directed to the rectum. The superior rectal vessels are located, dissected from the sacral promontory, ligated, and divided to facilitate the removal of the rectum.
  • Step 7: Accessing the Presacral Space The ureters are identified and protected, and the peritoneum is incised to release air from the abdominal cavity. The presacral space is entered, and dissection is carried down to the pelvic floor.
  • Step 8: Rectum Removal An elliptical incision is made around the anus, and the rectum is freed from surrounding tissue. The entire colon and rectum are then removed through the perineal incision, which is subsequently closed in layers.
  • Step 9: Re-establishing Pneumoperitoneum After the removal of the colon and rectum, pneumoperitoneum is re-established to prepare for the ileostomy.
  • Step 10: Performing the Ileostomy An incision is made in the lower abdomen, typically in the right lower quadrant. The stoma site is prepared, and the terminal end of the ileum is brought through the abdominal wall, folded back on itself (everted), and sutured to the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
  • Step 11: Closing Incisions Finally, the trocars are removed, and the portal incisions are closed. An ileostomy appliance is placed at the stoma site to collect waste.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy with proctectomy and ileostomy includes monitoring for complications such as infection, bleeding, or bowel obstruction. Patients are typically advised to follow a specific diet as they recover, gradually transitioning from clear liquids to a regular diet as tolerated. Pain management is also an essential aspect of post-operative care, and patients may be prescribed analgesics. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing process and the function of the ileostomy, as well as to provide education on stoma care and management.

Short Descr LAPARO TOTAL PROCTOCOLECTOMY
Medium Descr LAPS COLECTOMY ABDL W/PROCTECTOMY W/ILEOSTOMY
Long Descr Laparoscopy, surgical; colectomy, total, abdominal, with proctectomy, with ileostomy
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 78 - Colorectal resection

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

49327 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Laparoscopy, surgical; with placement of interstitial device(s) for radiation therapy guidance (eg, fiducial markers, dosimeter), intra-abdominal, intrapelvic, and/or retroperitoneum, including imaging guidance, if performed, single or multiple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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).
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
Date
Action
Notes
2003-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2003.
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