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Official Description

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); with sphincterotomy/papillotomy

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a specialized procedure that combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat conditions related to the bile ducts and pancreatic duct. During this procedure, an endoscope, which is a flexible tube equipped with a camera and light, is carefully passed through the patient's esophagus and stomach, reaching the duodenum. The goal is to access the ampulla of Vater, the anatomical site where the pancreatic duct and common bile duct converge. This access allows for the introduction of a smaller catheter through the endoscope, enabling the cannulation of the ampulla of Vater. Once cannulated, contrast dye is injected into the ducts, which facilitates the visualization of the common bile duct, biliary tract, gallbladder, and pancreas through X-ray imaging. This imaging is crucial for identifying any obstructions, stones, or abnormalities within these structures. The procedure may also involve therapeutic interventions such as sphincterotomy, where the muscle between the bile duct and pancreatic duct is severed, or papillotomy, which involves incising a stricture in the bile duct. Following these interventions, a balloon catheter may be inserted to further inspect for gallstones or other pathological conditions. Overall, ERCP with sphincterotomy or papillotomy is a critical procedure for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in managing biliary and pancreatic disorders.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy or papillotomy is indicated for various conditions affecting the biliary and pancreatic systems. The following are the primary indications for this procedure:

  • Obstructive Jaundice - This condition occurs when there is a blockage in the bile duct, leading to the accumulation of bile and subsequent jaundice.
  • Cholelithiasis - The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts can necessitate ERCP for diagnosis and removal.
  • Pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas may require ERCP to identify and treat underlying causes, such as stones in the pancreatic duct.
  • Biliary Strictures - Narrowing of the bile duct can be addressed through papillotomy to relieve obstruction and restore bile flow.
  • Cholangiocarcinoma - Suspected malignancies in the bile duct may be evaluated and treated using ERCP.

2. Procedure

The procedure of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy or papillotomy involves several critical steps to ensure successful diagnosis and treatment. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation - The patient is positioned comfortably, and sedation is administered to ensure relaxation and minimize discomfort during the procedure. Monitoring of vital signs is established to ensure patient safety throughout the process.
  • Step 2: Endoscope Insertion - An endoscope is carefully inserted through the mouth, advancing through the esophagus and stomach, and into the duodenum. The endoscope is equipped with a camera that allows visualization of the internal structures on a monitor.
  • Step 3: Cannulation of the Ampulla of Vater - Once the endoscope reaches the duodenum, the ampulla of Vater is located. A smaller catheter is then passed through the endoscope to cannulate the ampulla, allowing access to the pancreatic duct and common bile duct.
  • Step 4: Contrast Injection and Imaging - Contrast dye is injected through the catheter into the ducts. X-ray images are taken immediately after the dye injection to visualize the anatomy and identify any obstructions, stones, or abnormalities in the biliary and pancreatic systems.
  • Step 5: Therapeutic Intervention - If necessary, a sphincterotomy is performed to sever the muscle between the bile duct and pancreatic duct, or a papillotomy is conducted to incise any strictures in the bile duct. This step is crucial for relieving obstructions and facilitating the passage of bile and pancreatic juices.
  • Step 6: Balloon Catheter Insertion - A balloon catheter may be inserted to further inspect the ducts for gallstones or other pathological conditions. This allows for additional therapeutic measures, such as balloon dilation, if indicated.
  • Step 7: Completion and Recovery - After the necessary interventions, the endoscope is carefully withdrawn. The patient is monitored in a recovery area until the effects of sedation wear off, and post-procedure instructions are provided.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy or papillotomy, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or pancreatitis. It is common for patients to experience mild discomfort or a sore throat due to the endoscope's passage. Recovery time may vary, but most patients can resume normal activities within a day or two. Patients are advised to follow specific post-procedure care instructions, which may include dietary modifications and monitoring for any signs of complications, such as fever, severe abdominal pain, or jaundice. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the procedure and to determine if further interventions are necessary.

Short Descr ENDO CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPH
Medium Descr ERCP W/SPHINCTEROTOMY/PAPILLOTOMY
Long Descr Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); with sphincterotomy/papillotomy
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic 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.
Endoscopic Base Code 43260  Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure)
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
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) P8B - Endoscopy - upper gastrointestinal
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 82 - Endoscopic retrograde cannulation of pancreas (ERCP)

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

0397T Addon Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N ASC N1 Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), with optical endomicroscopy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
43273 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Endoscopic cannulation of papilla with direct visualization of pancreatic/common bile duct(s) (List separately in addition to code(s) for primary procedure)
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
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).
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.
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.
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.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
ET Emergency services
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
PT Colorectal cancer screening test; converted to diagnostic test or other procedure
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
Date
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Notes
2020-01-01 Note AMA Guidelines changed.
2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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