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Official Description

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y, of extrahepatic biliary ducts and gastrointestinal tract

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 47780 refers to the surgical procedure known as Roux-en-Y anastomosis, specifically involving the extrahepatic biliary ducts and the gastrointestinal tract. This procedure is commonly utilized to address biliary obstruction, which can occur due to various conditions affecting the bile ducts. In simpler terms, a Roux-en-Y anastomosis is a type of surgical connection that reroutes bile flow from the liver directly into the small intestine, bypassing any obstructed areas of the bile duct. The procedure involves making an incision in the abdomen to access the liver, gallbladder, and the affected bile duct, as well as a segment of the small intestine, typically the jejunum. The surgical technique includes mobilizing and dividing a segment of the small intestine to create a new pathway for bile drainage. This is achieved by constructing a Roux-en-Y limb, which facilitates the anastomosis, or connection, between the small intestine and the bile duct. The goal of this procedure is to restore normal bile flow, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with biliary obstruction and improving the patient's overall digestive function.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The Roux-en-Y anastomosis of extrahepatic biliary ducts is indicated for the treatment of biliary obstruction. This obstruction can arise from various conditions, including but not limited to gallstones, tumors, or strictures that impede the normal flow of bile from the liver to the gastrointestinal tract.

  • Biliary Obstruction The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a blockage in the bile ducts that prevents bile from reaching the small intestine, which can lead to jaundice, cholangitis, or other complications.

2. Procedure

The procedure for performing a Roux-en-Y anastomosis of the extrahepatic biliary ducts involves several critical steps to ensure successful rerouting of bile flow.

  • Step 1: Abdominal Incision An abdominal incision is made in the midline to provide access to the liver, gallbladder, and obstructed bile duct. This incision allows the surgeon to visualize and manipulate the necessary structures during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Exposure of Structures The liver, gallbladder, obstructed bile duct, and a segment of the small intestine are carefully exposed. This step is crucial for assessing the extent of the obstruction and planning the anastomosis.
  • Step 3: Mobilization and Division of Small Intestine A segment of the small intestine, typically the jejunum, is mobilized and divided. This segment will be used to create the Roux-en-Y limb, which is essential for the anastomosis.
  • Step 4: Construction of Roux-en-Y Limb The Roux-en-Y limb is constructed by creating a new pathway for bile to flow from the liver to the small intestine. This involves connecting the divided segment of the small intestine to the bile duct.
  • Step 5: Division of Extrahepatic Bile Duct The extrahepatic bile duct is divided above the obstruction, and the ends are closed to prevent bile leakage. This step is critical to ensure that bile can flow through the newly created pathway.
  • Step 6: Longitudinal Incision in Bile Duct A longitudinal incision is made in the bile duct to facilitate the anastomosis with the small intestine. This allows for direct connection between the two structures.
  • Step 7: Anastomosis of Small Intestine to Bile Duct The distal end of the divided small intestine is closed, and a small incision is made near the distal end. The small intestine is then anastomosed to the extrahepatic bile duct, allowing bile to drain directly into the intestine.
  • Step 8: Closure of Surgical Wound The surgical wound is irrigated, and drains are placed as needed to prevent fluid accumulation. Finally, the abdominal incision is closed in layers to promote proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the Roux-en-Y anastomosis procedure, patients typically require monitoring for any complications related to the surgery. Post-operative 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 may need to follow up with their healthcare provider to assess recovery and the success of the anastomosis. The expected recovery period can vary based on individual health factors and the extent of the surgery performed.

Short Descr FUSE BILE DUCTS AND BOWEL
Medium Descr ANAST ROUX-EN-Y XTRHEPATC BILIARY DUCTS & GI
Long Descr Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y, of extrahepatic biliary ducts and gastrointestinal tract
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).
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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