© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 47015 involves a laparotomy, which is a surgical operation that entails making an incision in the abdominal wall to gain access to the abdominal cavity. This specific procedure focuses on the liver, where a parasitic cyst or abscess, such as those caused by amoebic or echinococcal infections, is treated. During the laparotomy, the surgeon typically makes an incision in the right subcostal area, which may be extended into the left subcostal region or upwards towards the xiphoid process, depending on the location of the cyst or abscess. The surgical approach requires the transection of the right rectus muscle and splitting of the oblique muscles to adequately expose the liver for inspection. Once the liver is accessed, the surgeon identifies the parasitic cyst or abscess and punctures it to facilitate the aspiration process. This involves using a needle or catheter to suction out the fluid and debris contained within the cyst or abscess pocket. In cases of amebic infections, the procedure may not include an injection following aspiration, as treatment is often managed with oral antibiotics. Conversely, for echinococcal infections, a protoscolicidal agent, such as hypertonic saline or ethanol, is injected into the cyst pocket and left for a duration of approximately 15 minutes before being reaspirated. This method aims to effectively eliminate the parasitic infection while minimizing complications associated with the cyst or abscess.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 47015 is indicated for the treatment of hepatic parasitic infections, specifically targeting cysts or abscesses caused by parasites such as amoebae or echinococci. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:
The procedure for CPT® Code 47015 involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of the hepatic parasitic cysts or abscesses. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care following a laparotomy for the aspiration and/or injection of hepatic parasitic cysts or abscesses involves monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as infection or bleeding. Patients may require pain management and should be observed for any adverse reactions to the injected protoscolicidal agent, if applicable. Recovery time may vary based on the extent of the procedure and the patient's overall health. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to ensure that the cyst or abscess has been adequately treated and to monitor for any recurrence of the infection.
| Short Descr | LAPT ASPIR&/NJX HEP PRST CST | Medium Descr | LAPT W/ASPIR &/NJX HEPATC PARASITIC CYST/ABSCESS | Long Descr | Laparotomy, with aspiration and/or injection of hepatic parasitic (eg, amoebic or echinococcal) cyst(s) or abscess(es) | 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 | 99 - Other OR gastrointestinal therapeutic procedures |
| 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). | 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. | 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.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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 |
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Notes
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 1995-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1995. |
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