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Official Description

Omental flap, extra-abdominal (eg, for reconstruction of sternal and chest wall defects)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Omental flap procedures, specifically CPT® Code 49904, involve the use of the omentum, a fold of peritoneum extending from the stomach, in reconstructive surgery. This technique is particularly beneficial for addressing significant defects in soft and connective tissues, which may arise from various causes such as trauma, disease, or surgical excision of tissue. The procedure described by CPT® Code 49904 focuses on the application of an extra-abdominal omental flap, which is utilized to reconstruct defects located in the sternum or chest wall. The process begins with an upper midline abdominal incision that allows for the exposure of the omentum. Surgeons assess the omentum to identify the dominant blood vessels that will ensure adequate vascular supply and flap length necessary for effective reconstruction. Following careful dissection, the omentum is mobilized and positioned over the chest defect, ensuring that it is free from tension and that blood flow remains unobstructed. This method not only aids in the physical restoration of the affected area but also plays a crucial role in promoting healing and recovery in patients with significant tissue loss.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Omental flap procedures, specifically CPT® Code 49904, are indicated for the reconstruction of significant defects in the sternum and chest wall. These defects may result from various conditions, including:

  • Trauma: Injuries that lead to substantial loss of soft tissue in the chest area.
  • Oncological Resection: Surgical removal of tumors that necessitate reconstruction of the chest wall or sternum.
  • Infection: Severe infections that compromise the integrity of the chest wall, requiring reconstructive intervention.
  • Congenital Defects: Birth defects that result in structural abnormalities of the chest wall.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 49904 involves several critical steps to ensure successful reconstruction of the chest wall defect:

  • Step 1: An upper midline abdominal incision is made to access the omentum. This incision allows the surgeon to visualize and evaluate the omental tissue for the reconstruction process.
  • Step 2: The omentum is carefully lifted off the colon and dissected free from the transverse colon. This dissection is performed with precision to preserve the vascular supply necessary for the flap.
  • Step 3: The dominant blood vessels supplying the omentum are identified, and individual vessels are clamped and ligated to ensure that the flap can be adequately mobilized without compromising blood flow.
  • Step 4: The omental flap is then lifted and rotated over the chest defect. This step is crucial to ensure that the flap is sufficiently mobilized to cover the entire area of the defect.
  • Step 5: An incision is made in the anterior diaphragm, allowing the omental flap to be passed into the chest cavity. This step facilitates the placement of the flap directly over the defect.
  • Step 6: The flap is positioned over the defect, and the surgeon evaluates it to ensure that there is no tension on the vessel pedicle and that blood flow to the flap is unobstructed.
  • Step 7: Finally, the omental flap is secured in place with sutures to the surrounding structures, ensuring stability and proper alignment. Drains may be placed as needed to manage any potential fluid accumulation, and the abdominal incision is subsequently closed.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the omental flap procedure, patients typically require monitoring for any complications related to the surgical site. Expected recovery includes managing pain and ensuring proper healing of both the abdominal and chest incisions. Patients may need to follow specific post-operative care instructions, including activity restrictions to promote healing and prevent strain on the surgical sites. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the viability of the omental flap and to monitor for any signs of infection or complications. The overall recovery time may vary based on individual patient factors and the extent of the reconstruction performed.

Short Descr OMENTAL FLAP EXTRA-ABDOM
Medium Descr OMENTAL FLAP EXTRA-ABDOMINAL
Long Descr Omental flap, extra-abdominal (eg, for reconstruction of sternal and chest wall defects)
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 1 - Team surgeons could be paid, though...
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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.
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).
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)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2003-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2003.
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