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Official Description

Management of liver hemorrhage; simple suture of liver wound or injury

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 47350 refers to the management of liver hemorrhage through a procedure known as simple suture of a liver wound or injury. This surgical intervention is typically indicated when there is a need to repair a laceration or injury to the liver, which may occur due to trauma or surgical complications. The procedure begins with a midline abdominal incision that allows the surgeon to gain access to the abdominal cavity and the liver. During this exploration, the extent of the liver injury is assessed, and any potential damage to surrounding organs, blood vessels, or nerves is evaluated. The falciform ligament, which connects the liver to the abdominal wall, is divided to facilitate better access. To ensure visibility and access to the liver, the overlying bowel is retracted, and surgical packs are placed above the liver to control bleeding. The right and left peritoneal ligaments are incised, and the triangular ligaments are excised, which helps in mobilizing the liver and exposing critical structures such as the hepatic artery and inferior vena cava. Once the liver wound is identified, the surgeon performs a simple suture to repair the liver parenchyma and capsule, effectively closing the injury. This procedure is crucial for controlling hemorrhage and promoting healing of the liver tissue. It is important to note that more complex procedures may be required in cases of extensive injury, which are classified under different CPT codes, but 47350 specifically addresses the simpler repair of liver wounds.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 47350 is indicated for the management of liver hemorrhage resulting from various causes. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:

  • Traumatic Liver Injury - This includes injuries sustained from blunt or penetrating trauma that result in lacerations or wounds to the liver.
  • Post-Surgical Complications - Complications arising from previous surgical interventions on the liver or surrounding organs that lead to hemorrhage.
  • Spontaneous Liver Rupture - Conditions such as hepatic tumors or cysts that may lead to spontaneous rupture and subsequent bleeding.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 47350 involves several critical steps to ensure effective management of liver hemorrhage:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exploration - A midline abdominal incision is made to provide access to the abdominal cavity. The surgeon explores the cavity to assess the extent of the liver injury and check for any damage to adjacent organs, blood vessels, or nerves.
  • Step 2: Division of Ligaments - The falciform ligament is divided to enhance access to the liver. The overlying bowel is retracted to allow for a clear view of the liver. Surgical packs are placed above the liver to help control any bleeding.
  • Step 3: Mobilization of the Liver - The right and left peritoneal ligaments are incised, and the right and left triangular ligaments are excised. This mobilization is crucial for exposing the liver and its vascular structures, including the hepatic artery and inferior vena cava.
  • Step 4: Exploration of the Liver Wound - The liver wound is carefully explored to assess the damage. The surgeon then performs a simple suture of the liver wound or injury, using sutures to repair the liver parenchyma and capsule.
  • Step 5: Hemostasis and Inspection - After suturing, the liver is inspected for any signs of continued bleeding. If intrahepatic blood vessels are found to be bleeding, they may be ligated to control the hemorrhage.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the completion of the procedure, careful post-operative management is essential. The abdomen is typically closed in layers to ensure proper healing. Patients are monitored for any signs of complications, such as continued bleeding or infection. The surgical site may require follow-up evaluations to ensure that the liver is healing appropriately and that there are no further issues. In some cases, additional interventions may be necessary if complications arise, such as re-opening the abdomen to inspect the liver and remove any packing that was placed during the procedure.

Short Descr REPAIR LIVER WOUND
Medium Descr MGMT LVR HEMRRG SMPL SUTR LVR WND/INJ
Long Descr Management of liver hemorrhage; simple suture of liver wound or injury
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).
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.)
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
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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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