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Official Description

Removal of tunneled intraperitoneal catheter

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 49422 refers to the removal of a tunneled intraperitoneal catheter. A tunneled intraperitoneal catheter is a specialized medical device that is inserted into the peritoneal cavity, which is the space within the abdomen that houses various organs. This catheter is typically used for the administration of medications or fluids directly into the peritoneal cavity. The removal of such a catheter is a critical procedure that requires careful handling to prevent complications. During the removal process, the area surrounding the catheter insertion site is first cleansed to minimize the risk of infection. A local anesthetic is then administered to ensure patient comfort. The catheter is carefully freed from its tunnel using blunt dissection techniques, which help to avoid damaging surrounding tissues. Once the catheter is successfully removed, any bleeding that may occur is controlled through the application of pressure. Finally, the insertion site is closed appropriately, and a pressure dressing is applied to support the healing process. This procedure is essential for patients who no longer require the catheter or who may be experiencing complications related to its presence.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The removal of a tunneled intraperitoneal catheter, as described by CPT® Code 49422, is indicated in several scenarios. These may include:

  • Discontinuation of Therapy The catheter may be removed when the patient no longer requires intraperitoneal therapy, such as chemotherapy or dialysis.
  • Complications If the patient experiences complications such as infection, catheter malfunction, or obstruction, removal of the catheter may be necessary.
  • Patient Condition Improvement In cases where the underlying condition has improved, and the catheter is no longer needed, it may be removed to prevent unnecessary risks.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the removal of a tunneled intraperitoneal catheter involves several critical steps to ensure safety and effectiveness.

  • Step 1: Preparation The area surrounding the catheter insertion site is thoroughly cleansed to reduce the risk of infection. This step is crucial as it prepares the site for the procedure and minimizes potential complications.
  • Step 2: Anesthesia Administration A local anesthetic is injected into the area to ensure that the patient remains comfortable throughout the procedure. This step is important for pain management and patient cooperation.
  • Step 3: Catheter Dissection Using blunt dissection techniques, the catheter is carefully freed from the tunnel it occupies. This method helps to avoid damaging surrounding tissues and structures, ensuring a safer removal process.
  • Step 4: Catheter Removal Once the catheter is adequately freed, it is gently pulled out from the peritoneal cavity. Care is taken to ensure that the entire catheter is removed without leaving any fragments behind.
  • Step 5: Hemostasis After the catheter is removed, any bleeding that occurs is controlled through the application of pressure to the site. This step is vital to prevent excessive blood loss and promote healing.
  • Step 6: Site Closure The insertion site is then closed as needed, which may involve suturing or other closure techniques depending on the size of the incision and the clinician's judgment.
  • Step 7: Dressing Application Finally, a pressure dressing is applied to the site to support healing and protect it from infection. This dressing helps to maintain pressure on the site and provides a barrier against external contaminants.

3. Post-Procedure

After the removal of the tunneled intraperitoneal catheter, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or signs of infection. It is important to provide instructions for post-procedure care, which may include keeping the dressing clean and dry, monitoring the site for any unusual changes, and reporting any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Patients may also be advised on activity restrictions to promote healing and prevent strain on the insertion site. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing process and address any concerns that may arise.

Short Descr REMOVE TUNNELED IP CATH
Medium Descr REMOVAL TUNNELED INTRAPERITONEAL CATHETER
Long Descr Removal of tunneled intraperitoneal catheter
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator T-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 99 - Other OR gastrointestinal therapeutic procedures
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).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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.)
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.
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility 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.)
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).
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.
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).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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
2011-01-01 Changed Long description revised. Medium description changed. Short description changed. Guideline information changed.
1995-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1995.
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