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Official Description

Hepatectomy, resection of liver; total right lobectomy

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 47130 refers to a total right lobectomy, which is a surgical operation involving the resection of the right lobe of the liver. This complex procedure is typically performed to address various hepatic conditions, including tumors, cysts, or other liver diseases that necessitate the removal of a significant portion of the liver. The surgery begins with an incision in the right subcostal area, which may extend into the left subcostal region or upward toward the xiphoid process, allowing access to the liver. During the operation, the surgeon carefully transects the right rectus muscle and splits the oblique muscles to gain entry to the abdominal cavity. The medial portion of the left rectus muscle may also be transected to facilitate the mobilization of the right lobe of the liver toward the left side of the body. The procedure involves meticulous dissection and identification of critical vascular structures, including the cystic artery and duct, which are ligated and divided to prevent bleeding. The right main hepatic artery is then identified and protected during the dissection, which continues superiorly and posteriorly while ensuring the portal vein remains intact. The right main hepatic duct is also carefully dissected free to allow for the complete removal of the right lobe. The hepatic vein is transected, and the liver capsule is incised to access the liver parenchyma, which is then transected to excise the right lobe. In some cases, the hepatic parenchyma may be transected in the interlobar plane before the right lobe is removed. After the excision, the incision is closed over drains, ensuring that any bleeding is controlled and the wound is properly irrigated to promote healing.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The total right lobectomy, as described by CPT® Code 47130, is indicated for various medical conditions affecting the liver. These indications may include:

  • Hepatic Tumors The presence of malignant or benign tumors in the right lobe of the liver that require surgical removal to prevent further complications or metastasis.
  • Liver Cysts Large or symptomatic cysts located in the right lobe that may cause discomfort or other complications necessitating resection.
  • Chronic Liver Disease Conditions such as cirrhosis or other chronic liver diseases that may lead to the dysfunction of the right lobe, warranting its removal.
  • Trauma Significant liver injury or trauma affecting the right lobe that cannot be managed through less invasive means.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a total right lobectomy involves several critical steps, each performed with precision to ensure the safety and efficacy of the surgery. The steps include:

  • Step 1: Incision The surgeon begins by making an incision in the right subcostal region, which may extend into the left subcostal area or upward toward the xiphoid process. This incision provides access to the abdominal cavity and the liver.
  • Step 2: Muscle Transection The right rectus muscle is transected, and the oblique muscles are split to facilitate access to the liver. Additionally, the medial portion of the left rectus muscle may be transected to further aid in mobilizing the liver.
  • Step 3: Mobilization of the Liver The right lobe of the liver is carefully mobilized toward the left side of the body, allowing for better visualization and access to the structures that need to be addressed.
  • Step 4: Ligation of Vessels The cystic artery and duct are ligated and divided to prevent bleeding during the procedure. This step is crucial for maintaining hemostasis.
  • Step 5: Identification of the Hepatic Artery The peritoneum is incised, and the right main hepatic artery is identified and protected throughout the dissection process.
  • Step 6: Dissection of Structures The dissection continues superiorly and posteriorly, taking care to protect the portal vein. The right main hepatic duct is also dissected free to facilitate the removal of the right lobe.
  • Step 7: Transection of the Hepatic Vein The hepatic vein is located and transected, which is a critical step in the resection process.
  • Step 8: Resection of the Liver The liver capsule is incised, and the parenchyma is transected to excise the right lobe. Alternatively, the hepatic parenchyma may be transected in the interlobar plane before the right lobe is removed.
  • Step 9: Closure After the right lobe is excised, the incision is closed over drains, ensuring that any bleeding is controlled and the wound is irrigated to promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a total right lobectomy involves monitoring for complications such as bleeding, infection, or bile leaks. Patients may require pain management and close observation in a recovery setting. The expected recovery period can vary based on the individual’s overall health and the extent of the surgery. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess liver function and monitor for any potential complications. Additionally, patients may need to adhere to specific dietary restrictions and lifestyle modifications as advised by their healthcare provider to support liver health during the recovery phase.

Short Descr PARTIAL REMOVAL OF LIVER
Medium Descr HEPATECTOMY RESCJ TOTAL RIGHT LOBECTOMY
Long Descr Hepatectomy, resection of liver; total right lobectomy
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
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).
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).
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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