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Official Description

Excision of Meckel's diverticulum (diverticulectomy) or omphalomesenteric duct

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital anomaly that arises from the incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric duct, also known as the vitelline duct. This condition results in the formation of a vestigial pouch or connection between the intestine and the umbilicus, which can lead to various complications. The excision of Meckel's diverticulum, referred to as diverticulectomy, is a surgical procedure aimed at removing this abnormal pouch to prevent or address potential complications such as obstruction, inflammation, or bleeding. The procedure typically involves making a midline incision in the abdomen to access the diverticulum. Once located, the diverticulum is carefully isolated, and if it possesses a mesentery, this structure is clamped, divided, and ligated to ensure proper removal. The diverticulum itself is then excised in a transverse manner relative to the ileum, and any associated blood supply is addressed by dividing the artery on the ileal mesentery that supplies the diverticulum. Following the excision, the operative site is irrigated to maintain cleanliness, and the abdominal incisions are subsequently closed to promote healing. This procedure is essential for managing the complications associated with Meckel's diverticulum and restoring normal intestinal function.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Meckel's diverticulum excision is indicated in the following scenarios:

  • Complications from Meckel's diverticulum These may include obstruction of the intestine, inflammation (diverticulitis), or bleeding due to ulceration.
  • Symptoms of abdominal pain Patients may present with unexplained abdominal pain that could be attributed to the presence of the diverticulum.
  • Incidental findings During other abdominal surgeries, a Meckel's diverticulum may be discovered, warranting its removal to prevent future complications.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excising Meckel's diverticulum involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision A midline incision is made in the abdomen to provide access to the abdominal cavity. This incision is carefully extended to reach the area where the Meckel's diverticulum is located.
  • Step 2: Identification The surgeon identifies the Meckel's diverticulum, which is typically found on the ileum. If the diverticulum has a mesentery, this structure is noted for further manipulation.
  • Step 3: Isolation of the Mesentery If present, the mesentery of the diverticulum is isolated. This involves clamping the mesentery to control blood flow, followed by division and ligation to secure the area for excision.
  • Step 4: Excision of the Diverticulum The Meckel's diverticulum is then clamped and excised in a transverse manner relative to the ileum. This step is crucial to ensure complete removal of the diverticulum.
  • Step 5: Division of the Artery The artery supplying the Meckel's diverticulum, located on the ileal mesentery, is divided. The distal segment of this artery is also excised to prevent any potential bleeding.
  • Step 6: Irrigation and Closure After the excision, the operative site is irrigated to remove any debris or contaminants. Finally, the incisions made during the procedure are closed in layers to promote proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the excision of Meckel's diverticulum typically includes monitoring for any signs of complications such as infection or bleeding. Patients may be 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 receive medications to manage discomfort. Follow-up appointments are essential to ensure proper healing and to address any concerns that may arise during the recovery period.

Short Descr EXCISION OF BOWEL POUCH
Medium Descr EXC MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM/OMPHALOMESENTERIC DUCT
Long Descr Excision of Meckel's diverticulum (diverticulectomy) or omphalomesenteric duct
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
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).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
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.
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
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
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