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The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique that targets the nerves supplying the anterior abdominal wall, specifically at the spinal levels of T6 to L1. This procedure is primarily utilized to manage postoperative pain in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. By delivering anesthesia to the relevant nerve pathways, the TAP block serves as an adjunct therapy, enhancing pain control and potentially reducing the need for systemic opioids. The TAP block can be performed at various stages of the surgical process, including preoperatively, intraoperatively, or postoperatively, depending on the clinical scenario and the surgeon's preference. A unilateral TAP block is particularly effective for surgical incisions located to either the right or left of the midline, while a bilateral block is indicated for midline incisions. The administration of a long-acting local anesthetic, such as bupivacaine, can provide significant pain relief lasting up to 36 hours with a single injection. In contrast, a continuous infusion technique can extend pain relief for a duration of 36 to 72 hours, offering a more sustained approach to postoperative analgesia. Various ultrasound-guided techniques can be employed to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of the block, including subcostal, oblique subcostal, lateral, and posterior approaches. This method not only improves the precision of the anesthetic delivery but also allows for real-time visualization of the anatomical structures involved, ensuring optimal placement of the anesthetic agent.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for performing a transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block involves several key steps to ensure effective anesthesia delivery:
After the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is performed, patients are monitored for the effectiveness of pain relief and any potential complications. The expected recovery period may vary depending on the individual patient's response to the anesthetic. Continuous infusion or intermittent bolus injections of anesthetic will be managed to maintain adequate pain control. Clinicians should assess the patient's pain levels regularly and adjust the infusion rates as necessary to ensure optimal analgesia. Additionally, patients should be informed about the signs of potential complications, such as infection or catheter displacement, and instructed to report any unusual symptoms promptly. Overall, the TAP block is designed to enhance postoperative recovery by providing effective pain management, allowing patients to engage in early mobilization and rehabilitation.
| Short Descr | TAP BLOCK UNI BY INFUSION | Medium Descr | TAP BLOCK UNILATERAL BY CONTINUOUS INFUSION(S) | Long Descr | Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) unilateral; by continuous infusion(s) (includes imaging guidance, when performed) | 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) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 |
| RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 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). | 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. | 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.) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left 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 | 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 |
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| 2015-01-01 | Added | Added |
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