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Official Description

Management of liver hemorrhage; exploration of hepatic wound, extensive debridement, coagulation and/or suture, with or without packing of liver

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 47361 refers to the management of liver hemorrhage through a comprehensive surgical procedure that involves exploration of a hepatic wound, extensive debridement, coagulation, and/or suture, with or without the packing of the liver. This procedure is critical in addressing significant liver injuries that may result from trauma or other medical conditions. The approach typically begins with a midline abdominal incision, allowing the surgeon to gain access to the abdominal cavity and evaluate the liver's condition, as well as any potential damage to surrounding organs, blood vessels, or nerves. The falciform ligament is divided to facilitate better exposure of the liver, and the overlying bowel is retracted to provide a clear view of the surgical field. During the procedure, the liver is carefully examined, and any devitalized tissue is removed through debridement, which may involve the use of cautery and other surgical instruments. The surgeon may perform suturing to repair the liver parenchyma and capsule, depending on the extent of the injury. If bleeding persists after initial repairs, additional techniques such as selective hepatic artery ligation may be employed to control hemorrhage. The use of various hemostatic agents, including thrombin and fibrin sealants, is also common to ensure effective bleeding control. The abdomen is thoroughly irrigated to eliminate any blood clots and debris before closure. This procedure is essential for stabilizing patients with liver injuries and preventing further complications associated with hemorrhage.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 47361 is indicated for patients experiencing significant liver hemorrhage due to trauma or other medical conditions that compromise the integrity of the liver. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:

  • Traumatic Liver Injury Severe liver injuries resulting from blunt or penetrating trauma that lead to hemorrhage.
  • Spontaneous Liver Hemorrhage Conditions such as hepatic tumors or vascular malformations that may cause spontaneous bleeding within the liver.
  • Postoperative Complications Complications arising from previous liver surgeries that result in bleeding or damage to the liver tissue.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 47361 involves several critical steps to manage liver hemorrhage effectively:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure A midline abdominal incision is made to access the abdominal cavity. The surgeon explores the cavity to assess the extent of liver injury and check for any damage to adjacent organs, blood vessels, or nerves. The falciform ligament is divided, and the overlying bowel is retracted to provide optimal exposure of the liver.
  • Step 2: Mobilization of the Liver The right and left peritoneal ligaments are incised, and the right and left triangular ligaments are excised. This step is crucial for mobilizing the liver and exposing vital structures such as the hepatic artery and inferior vena cava.
  • Step 3: Exploration and Debridement The liver wound is thoroughly explored. If necessary, simple or complex suturing techniques are employed to repair the liver parenchyma and capsule. Extensive debridement is performed to remove devitalized tissue using finger dissection and cautery, and resectional debridement may be conducted with clips or a stapler device.
  • Step 4: Hemostasis Intrahepatic blood vessels and bile ducts are ligated to control bleeding. If bleeding persists, a selective hepatic artery ligation (SHAL) may be performed. Various hemostatic agents, including thrombin, fibrin sealant, collagen, electrocautery, laser, or radiofrequency coagulation, are utilized as needed.
  • Step 5: Packing and Irrigation The abdomen is copiously irrigated to remove blood clots and debris. If bleeding cannot be controlled, packing is placed in the liver area and left in situ. The abdomen is then closed in layers to complete the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the procedure, patients are monitored closely for signs of bleeding or complications. One to two days after the initial liver repair, the abdomen is re-opened along the previous incision to remove any packing that was placed. The overlying tissues are dissected, and the liver is inspected for any evidence of continued bleeding or necrosis. Additional debridement may be performed if necessary. After thorough inspection and any required interventions, the abdomen is closed in layers to ensure proper healing.

Short Descr REPAIR LIVER WOUND
Medium Descr MGMT LVR HEMRRG EXPL WND DBRDMT COAGJ/SUTR
Long Descr Management of liver hemorrhage; exploration of hepatic wound, extensive debridement, coagulation and/or suture, with or without packing of liver
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
Date
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Notes
1996-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1996.
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