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Official Description

Laparoscopy, surgical, closure of enterostomy, large or small intestine, with resection and anastomosis

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Laparoscopic closure of an enterostomy involves a minimally invasive surgical procedure aimed at closing an opening created in the abdominal wall for the purpose of diverting intestinal contents. This procedure can be performed on either the small or large intestine and is typically indicated when the enterostomy is no longer needed. The process begins with the creation of a small incision near the umbilicus, through which a trocar is inserted to establish pneumoperitoneum, allowing for the inflation of the abdominal cavity with gas. This inflation provides the necessary space for the surgeon to visualize and access the internal organs using a laparoscope. Additional trocars are then placed in the upper and lower abdomen to facilitate the insertion of surgical instruments. The surgeon inspects the abdominal viscera, addresses any adhesions, and identifies the distal intestinal or rectal stump for mobilization. The stoma, which is the end of the intestine that protrudes through the abdominal wall, is carefully dissected from the surrounding tissue. The procedure includes resection of the enterostomy and anastomosis, which involves connecting the two segments of the intestine to restore continuity. This technique is advantageous as it minimizes recovery time and reduces postoperative pain compared to traditional open surgery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The laparoscopic closure of an enterostomy is indicated for patients who have undergone previous intestinal diversion and no longer require the stoma. This procedure is typically performed in the following situations:

  • Reversal of Temporary Enterostomy This procedure is indicated when a temporary enterostomy is created for conditions such as bowel obstruction, trauma, or inflammatory bowel disease, and the underlying condition has resolved.
  • Closure of Permanent Enterostomy It may also be indicated for patients who have had a permanent enterostomy but are candidates for restoration of bowel continuity due to improved health status or surgical intervention.

2. Procedure

The laparoscopic closure of an enterostomy involves several key procedural steps that ensure the safe and effective re-establishment of intestinal continuity:

  • Step 1: Incision and Trocar Insertion A small portal incision is made near the umbilicus, allowing for the insertion of a trocar. This step is crucial for establishing pneumoperitoneum, which is the inflation of the abdominal cavity with gas to create a working space for the procedure.
  • Step 2: Laparoscope Insertion Once pneumoperitoneum is established, a laparoscope is inserted through the trocar. This instrument provides visualization of the abdominal cavity, allowing the surgeon to assess the internal structures.
  • Step 3: Additional Trocar Placement Additional trocars are placed in the upper and lower abdomen to facilitate the use of surgical instruments during the procedure. This multi-port approach enhances the surgeon's ability to maneuver and perform necessary tasks.
  • Step 4: Inspection and Adhesion Lysis The abdominal viscera are inspected for any abnormalities, and any adhesions present are lysed to free up the intestinal segments for manipulation.
  • Step 5: Identification and Mobilization of Stump The distal intestinal or rectal stump is identified and mobilized to prepare for the closure of the enterostomy. This step is essential for ensuring that the tissue is adequately accessible for resection.
  • Step 6: Dissection of Stoma The stoma is carefully dissected from the abdominal wall, and the proximal segment of the intestine is mobilized. This dissection is critical for removing the stoma while preserving the integrity of the surrounding tissues.
  • Step 7: Resection and Stapler Placement The intestine is freed from the skin at the stoma site, which allows for the release of gas from the abdomen. During the temporary loss of pneumoperitoneum, the enterostomy is resected, and the anvil of a circular stapler is placed in the proximal segment of the intestine and secured with a purse-string suture.
  • Step 8: Return of Intestinal Segment The exteriorized intestinal segment is returned to the abdominal cavity, and pneumoperitoneum is re-established to facilitate the next steps of the procedure.
  • Step 9: Anastomosis The proximal and distal segments of the intestine are sutured together (anastomosed) using the stapler device, effectively restoring continuity of the intestinal tract.
  • Step 10: Hemostasis and Closure After ensuring that bleeding is controlled, the trocars are removed, and the small portal incisions are closed in a layered fashion to promote optimal healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following laparoscopic closure of an enterostomy typically involves monitoring for any complications such as infection, bleeding, or anastomotic leaks. Patients are usually 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 important aspect of post-operative care, and patients may be prescribed analgesics to manage discomfort. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and ensure that the intestinal function is restored appropriately. Additionally, patients should be educated on signs of complications that may require immediate medical attention.

Short Descr LAP CLOSE ENTEROSTOMY
Medium Descr LAPS CLSR NTRSTM LG/SM INT W/RESCJ & ANASTOMOSIS
Long Descr Laparoscopy, surgical, closure of enterostomy, large or small intestine, with resection and anastomosis
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 96 - Other OR lower GI therapeutic procedures

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)
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)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
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).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GF Non-physician (e.g. nurse practitioner (np), certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna), certified registered nurse (crn), clinical nurse specialist (cns), physician assistant (pa)) services in a critical access hospital
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2006-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2006.
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