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Official Description

Backbench standard preparation of cadaver donor whole liver graft prior to allotransplantation, including cholecystectomy, if necessary, and dissection and removal of surrounding soft tissues to prepare the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct for implantation; without trisegment or lobe split

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 47143 involves the meticulous preparation of a cadaver donor whole liver graft prior to its transplantation into a recipient. This process is commonly referred to as backbench or back table preparation. During this procedure, the liver may be received with the gallbladder still attached; if so, a cholecystectomy, or removal of the gallbladder, is performed as part of the preparation. The surrounding soft tissues are carefully dissected away to expose critical vascular structures, including the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct, which are essential for successful implantation into the recipient. The preparation ensures that the liver graft is optimally configured for transplantation, allowing for the identification and management of any anatomical variations or anomalies that may exist. This procedure is crucial for ensuring the viability and functionality of the liver graft once it is implanted into the recipient, thereby enhancing the chances of a successful transplant outcome.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The backbench standard preparation of a cadaver donor whole liver graft is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Cadaveric Liver Donation Preparation of the liver for transplantation from a deceased donor.
  • Transplantation Readiness Ensuring the liver is adequately prepared for implantation into a recipient.

2. Procedure

The procedure for backbench preparation of the liver graft involves several critical steps to ensure the organ is ready for transplantation:

  • Step 1: Cholecystectomy If the gallbladder is intact, it is removed through a cholecystectomy. This step is essential to prevent complications during transplantation and to ensure that the liver graft is free of any additional structures that could interfere with the implantation process.
  • Step 2: Dissection of Surrounding Soft Tissues The surrounding soft tissues of the liver are meticulously dissected to expose the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct. This dissection is crucial for preparing these structures for implantation and ensuring that they are free from any obstructions.
  • Step 3: Preparation of the Vena Cava The vena cava is prepared and suspended using suture material. The suprahepatic vena cava is then closed, while the infrahepatic vena cava is cannulated and inflated with preservation solution. This inflation helps to identify any potential leaks in the caval structure, which is vital for preventing complications post-transplant.
  • Step 4: Suture Ligation of Caval Tributaries Any tributaries of the vena cava are suture ligated to minimize the risk of hemorrhage during and after the transplantation procedure. This step is critical for maintaining hemostasis and ensuring the stability of the graft.
  • Step 5: Isolation of the Portal Vein and Hepatic Artery The portal vein and hepatic artery are carefully dissected free from surrounding tissues. This isolation is necessary to prepare these vessels for potential reconstructive procedures that may be required during transplantation.
  • Step 6: Identification of Anomalous Vessels Any anomalous vessels are identified and dissected free of surrounding tissue. This step is important for ensuring that all vascular structures are properly accounted for and prepared for the transplant.
  • Step 7: Dissection of the Common Bile Duct The common bile duct is also dissected free from surrounding tissue, ensuring that it is adequately prepared for implantation. This step is essential for the proper drainage of bile post-transplant.

3. Post-Procedure

After the backbench preparation of the liver graft is completed, the organ is either implanted in its entirety into a single recipient or may be split into two partial grafts for transplantation into two different patients. If the entire liver is transplanted, CPT® Code 47143 is used. In cases where a trisegment split is performed, CPT® Code 47144 is applicable, while CPT® Code 47145 is used for splitting the liver into right and left lobes. The post-procedure care involves monitoring the graft for viability and ensuring that the recipient is prepared for the transplant surgery.

Short Descr PREP DONOR LIVER WHOLE
Medium Descr BKBENCH PREP CADAVER DONOR
Long Descr Backbench standard preparation of cadaver donor whole liver graft prior to allotransplantation, including cholecystectomy, if necessary, and dissection and removal of surrounding soft tissues to prepare the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct for implantation; without trisegment or lobe split
Status Code Carriers Price the Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
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 176 - Other organ transplantation
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).
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).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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.
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.
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.
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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
AG Primary physician
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2005-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2005.
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