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The procedure described by CPT® Code 47620 involves a cholecystectomy, which is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, performed using an open surgical technique. This procedure is accompanied by exploration of the common bile duct, which is a critical pathway for bile drainage from the liver to the intestine. During this operation, a transduodenal sphincterotomy or sphincteroplasty is performed, which involves making an incision in the sphincter muscle to facilitate access to the common bile duct. The procedure may also include cholangiography, a diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize the bile ducts. The surgical approach typically begins with an incision in the upper abdomen, often in the right subcostal region, allowing the surgeon to access the gallbladder and surrounding structures. The operation requires careful dissection to expose the cystic duct and artery, ligation of the cystic duct, and removal of the gallbladder from its hepatic bed. Intraoperative cholangiography may be performed to assess the bile ducts for any obstructions or stones. The common bile duct is then explored to remove any calculi, and a sphincterotomy or sphincteroplasty is conducted to ensure proper bile flow. The procedure concludes with the removal of the gallbladder and closure of the incision, often with the placement of drains to facilitate recovery.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The cholecystectomy with exploration of the common duct, as described by CPT® Code 47620, is indicated for several conditions related to the gallbladder and bile ducts. These include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 47620 involves several critical steps, each essential for the successful completion of the surgery. The steps are as follows:
After the completion of the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any complications related to the surgery. Post-procedure care may include pain management, monitoring for signs of infection, and ensuring proper drainage from any placed drains. Patients are usually advised on dietary modifications and activity restrictions during the recovery period. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and address any concerns that may arise after surgery.
| Short Descr | REMOVAL OF GALLBLADDER | Medium Descr | CHOLECSTC EXPL DUX SPHNCTROTOMY/SPHNCTROP | Long Descr | Cholecystectomy with exploration of common duct; with transduodenal sphincterotomy or sphincteroplasty, with or without cholangiography | 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) | P1C - Major procedure - cholecystectomy | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 84 - Cholecystectomy and common duct exploration |
| 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). | 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. | 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 |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |