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Official Description

Pancreatectomy, proximal subtotal with total duodenectomy, partial gastrectomy, choledochoenterostomy and gastrojejunostomy (Whipple-type procedure); without pancreatojejunostomy

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 48152 refers to a complex surgical procedure known as a proximal subtotal pancreatectomy with total duodenectomy, partial gastrectomy, choledochoenterostomy, and gastrojejunostomy, commonly referred to as a Whipple-type procedure. This procedure is performed to remove the head of the pancreas along with the duodenum, a portion of the stomach, and the bile duct, while not performing a pancreatojejunostomy, which is the anastomosis of the pancreatic duct to the jejunum. The surgery typically involves a subcostal or midline incision in the abdomen, allowing access to the abdominal cavity. The procedure is indicated for various conditions affecting the pancreas and surrounding structures, such as tumors or chronic pancreatitis. The surgical steps involve careful mobilization of the duodenum and pancreas, identification of critical vascular structures, and meticulous dissection to ensure complete removal of the affected organs while preserving surrounding tissues as much as possible. The procedure concludes with the reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract to maintain continuity, which is essential for proper digestion and bile drainage.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 48152 is indicated for specific medical conditions that necessitate the removal of the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and associated structures. These indications may include:

  • Pancreatic Tumors - The presence of malignant or benign tumors in the head of the pancreas that require surgical intervention.
  • Chronic Pancreatitis - Severe and persistent inflammation of the pancreas that may lead to complications and necessitate surgical removal of the affected area.
  • Duodenal Obstruction - Conditions causing blockage in the duodenum that may require resection of the duodenum along with adjacent structures.
  • Biliary Obstruction - Issues related to the bile duct that may require surgical intervention to restore normal bile flow.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several critical steps, each essential for the successful completion of the surgery:

  • Step 1: Incision - A subcostal or midline incision is made in the abdomen to provide access to the abdominal cavity.
  • Step 2: Mobilization - The duodenum and head of the pancreas are mobilized to allow for clear visualization and access to the surgical site.
  • Step 3: Identification of Vessels - The superior mesenteric vein is identified, along with the common bile duct and portal vein, to avoid injury during dissection.
  • Step 4: Elevation and Division - The neck of the pancreas is elevated, and the stomach is divided to facilitate the removal of the affected structures.
  • Step 5: Dissection - The common bile duct and neck of the pancreas are divided, and the pancreas is carefully dissected from the mesenteric vessels.
  • Step 6: Jejunum Mobilization - The proximal jejunum is mobilized and divided, allowing for the necessary anastomosis later in the procedure.
  • Step 7: Distal Duodenum Dissection - The distal duodenum is dissected from the posterior abdominal wall to ensure complete removal.
  • Step 8: Removal of Structures - The head of the pancreas, a portion of the bile duct, the duodenum, and a portion of the stomach are removed, ensuring all affected tissues are excised.
  • Step 9: Pancreatic Duct Identification - The pancreatic duct is identified, and drainage to the small bowel is verified, although no pancreatojejunostomy is performed in this procedure.
  • Step 10: Closure of Pancreas - The pancreas is closed with mattress sutures to prevent leakage.
  • Step 11: Bile Duct Management - A T-tube may be placed in the bile duct to ensure patency and proper drainage.
  • Step 12: Gastrojejunostomy - The remaining portion of the stomach is anastomosed to the jejunum to restore gastrointestinal continuity.
  • Step 13: Final Steps - The abdomen is irrigated with normal saline, drains are placed as necessary, and the abdominal incision is closed.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a Whipple-type procedure includes monitoring for complications such as bleeding, infection, or leakage from the anastomosis sites. Patients may require a stay in the hospital for several days to ensure proper recovery and management of any postoperative issues. Nutritional support may be necessary, as patients may have altered digestion following the removal of portions of the gastrointestinal tract. Follow-up appointments are essential to monitor recovery and assess any long-term effects of the surgery.

Short Descr PANCREATECTOMY
Medium Descr PNCRTECT WHIPPLE W/O PANCREATOJEJUNOSTOMY
Long Descr Pancreatectomy, proximal subtotal with total duodenectomy, partial gastrectomy, choledochoenterostomy and gastrojejunostomy (Whipple-type procedure); without pancreatojejunostomy
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 73 - Ileostomy and other enterostomy

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

96547 Add On Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure, including separate incision(s) and closure, when performed; first 60 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
96548 Add On Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure, including separate incision(s) and closure, when performed; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
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.
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
Date
Action
Notes
1994-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1994.
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