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Official Description

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

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 47785 refers to the surgical procedure known as Roux-en-Y anastomosis of the intrahepatic biliary ducts and gastrointestinal tract. This complex surgical intervention is primarily aimed at addressing biliary obstruction, which can occur due to various conditions affecting the bile ducts. In simpler terms, this procedure creates a new pathway for bile to flow from the liver into the gastrointestinal tract, bypassing any obstructions that may be present in the bile ducts. The term 'Roux-en-Y' describes the specific configuration of the surgical connection, which resembles the letter 'Y' and involves the use of a segment of the small intestine, typically the jejunum. During the procedure, an abdominal incision is made to access the liver and bile ducts. The surgeon carefully dissects the liver hilum to expose the intrahepatic bile ducts, which are the ducts located within the liver. A segment of the small intestine is mobilized and divided to create a limb that will be connected to the intrahepatic bile ducts. This connection allows bile to drain directly from the liver into the small intestine, facilitating proper digestion and preventing complications associated with bile duct obstructions. The surgical technique requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure that the anastomosis is secure and that the patient can recover effectively post-surgery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The Roux-en-Y anastomosis of intrahepatic biliary ducts and gastrointestinal tract, coded as CPT® 47785, is indicated for the treatment of biliary obstruction. This condition may arise from various underlying issues, including but not limited to:

  • Biliary Strictures - Narrowing of the bile ducts that can impede the flow of bile.
  • Cholangiocarcinoma - A type of cancer that affects the bile ducts, leading to obstruction.
  • Gallstones - Stones that can block the bile ducts, causing pain and complications.
  • Pancreatic Cancer - Tumors in the pancreas that may compress or invade the bile ducts.
  • Post-surgical Complications - Issues arising from previous surgeries that may affect bile duct integrity.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® 47785 involves several critical steps to ensure successful anastomosis of the intrahepatic bile ducts to the gastrointestinal tract. The following steps outline the surgical process:

  • Step 1: Abdominal Incision - The surgeon begins by making a midline abdominal incision to gain access to the abdominal cavity. This incision allows for the exposure of the liver, gallbladder, obstructed bile duct, and a segment of the small intestine.
  • Step 2: Mobilization of Small Intestine - A segment of the small intestine, typically the jejunum, is carefully mobilized and divided. This segment will be used to create the Roux-en-Y limb necessary for the anastomosis.
  • Step 3: Dissection of the Liver Hilum - The surgeon dissects the liver hilum to expose the intrahepatic bile ducts. This step is crucial for accessing the bile ducts that need to be connected to the small intestine.
  • Step 4: Anastomosis of Small Intestine to Intrahepatic Bile Ducts - The distal end of the divided small intestine is anastomosed to the intrahepatic bile ducts. This connection allows bile to flow directly from the liver into the small intestine.
  • Step 5: Closure of Surgical Wound - After the anastomosis is completed, the surgical wound is thoroughly irrigated. Drains may be placed as needed to prevent fluid accumulation, and the abdominal incision is closed in layers to promote proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a Roux-en-Y anastomosis of the intrahepatic bile ducts involves monitoring the patient for any complications and ensuring proper recovery. Patients may require hospitalization for observation, pain management, and to monitor for signs of infection or bile leakage. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the success of the anastomosis and to manage any potential complications. Patients are typically advised on dietary modifications and may need to follow a specific diet to aid in recovery and ensure proper digestion following the procedure.

Short Descr FUSE BILE DUCTS AND BOWEL
Medium Descr ANAST ROUX-EN-Y INTRAHEPATC BILIARY DUCTS & GI
Long Descr Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y, of intrahepatic 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).
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.
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.
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
1995-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1995.
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