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Official Description

Insertion of duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube, percutaneous, under fluoroscopic guidance including contrast injection(s), image documentation and report

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 49441 refers to the procedure of inserting a duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube through a percutaneous approach, utilizing fluoroscopic guidance. This procedure involves the careful placement of a tube into the digestive tract, specifically into the duodenum or jejunum, to facilitate nutritional support for patients who are unable to consume food orally. The insertion is performed under imaging guidance, which allows for real-time visualization of the anatomy and ensures accurate placement of the tube. The use of contrast injection enhances the visibility of the structures involved, aiding in the confirmation of correct positioning. The procedure is comprehensive, including not only the insertion of the tube but also the necessary documentation and reporting of the imaging findings. This code is essential for medical coders and billers to accurately represent the services provided during this complex intervention, ensuring proper reimbursement and compliance with healthcare regulations.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 49441 is indicated for patients who require enteral feeding due to various medical conditions that impair their ability to ingest food orally. The following conditions may warrant the insertion of a duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube:

  • Inability to swallow: Conditions such as stroke, neurological disorders, or severe head and neck cancers can lead to dysphagia, making oral intake impossible.
  • Chronic gastrointestinal disorders: Diseases like Crohn's disease or severe pancreatitis may necessitate bypassing the oral route for nutrition.
  • Prolonged unconsciousness or coma: Patients who are unable to eat due to altered consciousness require alternative feeding methods.
  • Obstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract: Tumors or strictures can obstruct the passage of food, necessitating enteral feeding through a tube.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the insertion of a duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube involves several critical steps to ensure safe and effective placement:

  • Step 1: The patient is prepared for the procedure, which includes administering glucagon and placing a nasogastric tube to facilitate stomach insufflation. This step is crucial for creating a clear pathway for the tube insertion.
  • Step 2: The skin over the designated insertion site is thoroughly cleansed to minimize the risk of infection. A local anesthetic is then administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Under fluoroscopic guidance, a needle is carefully passed through the skin and into the stomach, with radiographic confirmation of the needle's position. This imaging is vital for ensuring accurate placement.
  • Step 4: Fasteners are utilized to secure the stomach to the abdominal wall, providing stability during the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 5: A guidewire is introduced through the needle into the stomach, after which the needle is withdrawn. This guidewire serves as a pathway for the subsequent tube insertion.
  • Step 6: The abdominal wall and gastric wall are dilated using serial dilators or an angioplasty balloon, creating sufficient space for the tube.
  • Step 7: The gastrostomy tube is then inserted over the guidewire and anchored securely within the stomach. The guidewire is subsequently withdrawn.
  • Step 8: If a pull technique is employed, a feeding tube is advanced through the patient's mouth into the stomach. A needle is then passed into the stomach, and a snare is introduced under fluoroscopic guidance to capture the gastrostomy tube.
  • Step 9: The gastrostomy tube is pulled through the gastric and abdominal wall, exiting through the skin. Continuous radiographic imaging is performed throughout the procedure, utilizing contrast injections to monitor the placement and verify correct positioning.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure, the patient is monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection at the insertion site. Instructions for care of the tube and the insertion site are provided to the patient or caregiver. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to confirm the proper placement of the tube and to assess for any potential complications. The patient may require additional support for feeding and hydration, and a comprehensive report detailing the procedure, including imaging documentation, is generated for medical records and billing purposes.

Short Descr PLACE DUOD/JEJ TUBE PERC
Medium Descr INSERT DUODENOSTOMY/JEJUNOSTOMY TUBE PERQ
Long Descr Insertion of duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube, percutaneous, under fluoroscopic guidance including contrast injection(s), image documentation and report
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - 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) 0 - 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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 73 - Ileostomy and other enterostomy
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).
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.
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).
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2008-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2008.
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