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Official Description

Replacement 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 49451 refers to the procedure for the replacement of a duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube through a percutaneous approach, utilizing fluoroscopic guidance. This procedure is particularly necessary when a tube has been accidentally dislodged or pulled out, necessitating its replacement to ensure continued access for nutritional support or other medical needs. During the procedure, the existing tube tract is carefully inspected and cleansed to prepare for the insertion of a new tube. The use of contrast media is integral to this process, as it allows for the visualization of the tract and ensures that the new tube is placed correctly. A guidewire is then introduced into the tract, facilitating the smooth passage of the replacement tube into the appropriate anatomical location, such as the stomach or colon. The procedure is conducted under continuous radiographic imaging, which provides real-time feedback on the placement of the tube, ensuring that it is positioned accurately. The code also encompasses the necessary documentation, including image documentation and a written report, which are essential for medical records and billing purposes. For reporting purposes, the code 49451 is specifically designated for the percutaneous replacement of a duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube, while the code 49452 is used for the replacement of a gastrojejunostomy tube.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 49451 is indicated in specific clinical scenarios where the replacement of a duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube is necessary. These indications include:

  • Accidental Dislodgement Replacement is required when the tube has been accidentally pulled out, compromising the patient's access for nutrition or medication.
  • Tube Malfunction Situations where the existing tube is not functioning properly, necessitating replacement to restore proper gastrointestinal access.
  • Infection or Complications Instances where the tube site has become infected or there are other complications that warrant the replacement of the tube.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the replacement of a duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube involves several critical steps, each designed to ensure the safe and effective placement of the new tube. The steps are as follows:

  • Inspection and Cleansing The first step involves a thorough inspection of the existing tube tract. This is crucial to identify any potential issues such as infection or damage. The tract is then cleansed to minimize the risk of infection during the replacement process.
  • Contrast Injection Following the cleansing, contrast media is injected into the tract. This step is essential as it allows for the visualization of the tract under fluoroscopic guidance, helping to assess its condition and ensure that the new tube can be accurately placed.
  • Guidewire Insertion A guidewire is then inserted into the tract. This guidewire serves as a pathway for the new tube, facilitating its insertion and ensuring that it follows the correct anatomical route.
  • Tube Replacement The replacement tube is then pushed through the tract over the guidewire. This step requires careful maneuvering to ensure that the tube is directed into the stomach, cecum, or other segments of the colon as indicated.
  • Securing the Tube Once the tube is in place, it is secured internally with retention devices to prevent dislodgement. Additionally, the tube is secured externally to the skin to provide stability and ensure proper function.
  • Continuous Imaging Guidance Throughout the entire procedure, continuous radiographic imaging is performed. This imaging, combined with the use of contrast injections, allows for real-time monitoring of the tube's placement, ensuring that it is positioned correctly within the gastrointestinal tract.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the tube replacement procedure, several post-procedure care considerations are important. Patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection at the insertion site. Instructions regarding the care of the tube and the site are provided to the patient or caregiver, emphasizing the importance of keeping the area clean and dry. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the tube's function and the patient's overall condition. Additionally, documentation of the procedure, including the imaging results and a written report, is essential for medical records and billing purposes.

Short Descr REPLACE DUOD/JEJ TUBE PERC
Medium Descr REPLACE DUODENOSTOMY/JEJUNOSTOMY TUBE PERQ
Long Descr Replacement of duodenostomy or jejunostomy tube, percutaneous, under fluoroscopic guidance including contrast injection(s), image documentation and report
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) 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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
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
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).
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).
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.
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.)
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).
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
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2008-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2008.
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