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Official Description

Proctectomy; partial resection of rectum, transabdominal approach

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 45111 refers to a surgical procedure known as a proctectomy, specifically a partial resection of the rectum performed via a transabdominal approach. This procedure is typically indicated for patients requiring surgical intervention on the proximal aspect of the rectum, often due to conditions such as malignancies, severe trauma, or other significant rectal diseases. The transabdominal approach involves accessing the rectum through a midline incision in the lower abdomen, allowing the surgeon to explore the abdominal cavity and identify the appropriate site for resection. The procedure entails mobilizing the sigmoid colon and rectum, followed by the careful division of the rectum to remove the affected segment. The remaining segments of the rectum are then reconnected through an anastomosis, ensuring continuity of the gastrointestinal tract. This surgical intervention is critical for restoring function and alleviating symptoms associated with rectal pathologies.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 45111 is indicated for various conditions affecting the rectum. These may include:

  • Malignancies - The presence of cancerous tumors in the rectum that necessitate surgical removal to prevent further spread and to manage symptoms.
  • Severe Trauma - Injuries to the rectum that may require resection to repair damage and restore normal function.
  • Inflammatory Diseases - Conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease that may lead to significant rectal damage or complications.
  • Rectal Prolapse - A condition where the rectum protrudes through the anus, which may require surgical intervention for correction.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 45111 involves several critical steps to ensure effective resection of the rectum. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Incision - A midline incision is made in the lower abdomen to provide access to the abdominal cavity. This incision allows the surgeon to explore the area and assess the condition of the rectum and surrounding structures.
  • Step 2: Exploration - The abdomen is carefully explored to identify the proximal transection site of the rectum. This may involve examining the sigmoid colon, as a portion of it may also be involved in the resection.
  • Step 3: Mobilization - The sigmoid colon and rectum are mobilized to facilitate the resection. This step is crucial for ensuring that the affected segments can be adequately accessed and removed.
  • Step 4: Clamping - A clamp is placed above the planned proximal transection site to control blood flow and prevent excessive bleeding during the procedure. A second clamp is then placed below the planned distal resection site in the rectum.
  • Step 5: Resection - The rectum is divided at the designated sites, and the diseased or injured segment is removed. This step is essential for eliminating the affected tissue and addressing the underlying condition.
  • Step 6: Anastomosis - The remaining distal and proximal segments of the rectum are then anastomosed in an end-to-end fashion. This surgical connection restores continuity to the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Step 7: Drain Placement - Drains are placed in the abdomen to facilitate the removal of any excess fluid or blood that may accumulate postoperatively.
  • Step 8: Closure - Finally, the midline abdominal incision is closed, completing the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the proctectomy, patients typically require monitoring for any complications such as infection or bleeding. Post-procedure care may include pain management, dietary modifications, and gradual resumption of normal activities. The placement of drains will be monitored, and they may be removed once the output is deemed appropriate. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and ensure that the anastomosis is functioning correctly. Patients may also need education on bowel habits and any lifestyle changes necessary for optimal recovery.

Short Descr PARTIAL REMOVAL OF RECTUM
Medium Descr PRCTECT PRTL RESCJ RECTUM TABDL APPR
Long Descr Proctectomy; partial resection of rectum, transabdominal 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) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 78 - Colorectal resection
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.)
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
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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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