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A mobilization (take-down) of the splenic flexure is a surgical procedure that is performed in conjunction with a partial colectomy, which is a surgical resection of a portion of the colon. The splenic flexure, also known as the left colic flexure, is the anatomical bend in the large intestine located at the junction where the transverse colon transitions into the descending colon. This area is significant due to its multiple attachments to surrounding structures, including the splenocolic ligament, which connects the spleen to the colon, and the renocolic ligament, which is a fusion area between the retroperitoneal fascia and the mesentery of the left colon. The purpose of the take-down procedure is to mobilize the splenic flexure, allowing for a tension-free anastomosis, which is the surgical connection between two segments of the intestine, or to facilitate the externalization of the remaining intestine. The approach to the splenic flexure is typically inferior, requiring the retraction of the sigmoid colon to gain access. The procedure involves careful dissection of the retroperitoneal fascia and division of the splenocolic ligament using electrocautery, followed by the dissection of the omentum from the splenic flexure. This meticulous mobilization is crucial for ensuring that the subsequent partial colectomy can be performed effectively, allowing for optimal healing and function of the gastrointestinal tract.
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The mobilization (take-down) of the splenic flexure is indicated in the context of a partial colectomy. This procedure is typically performed for patients presenting with conditions that necessitate the resection of a portion of the colon, which may include:
The procedure for mobilization (take-down) of the splenic flexure involves several critical steps to ensure successful access and mobilization of the area:
Post-procedure care following the mobilization of the splenic flexure and partial colectomy typically involves monitoring for complications such as infection, bleeding, or anastomotic leaks. Patients may require pain management and nutritional support as they recover. The expected recovery period can vary based on the extent of the surgery and the patient's overall health, but close follow-up is essential to ensure proper healing and function of the gastrointestinal tract.
| Short Descr | MOBILIZATION OF COLON | Medium Descr | MOBLJ SPLENIC FLXR PFRMD CONJUNCT W/PRTL COLCT | Long Descr | Mobilization (take-down) of splenic flexure performed in conjunction with partial colectomy (List separately in addition to primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | 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) | P1B - Major procedure - colectomy | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 78 - Colorectal resection |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 44140 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Colectomy, partial; with anastomosis | 44141 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Colectomy, partial; with skin level cecostomy or colostomy | 44143 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Colectomy, partial; with end colostomy and closure of distal segment (Hartmann type procedure) | 44144 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Colectomy, partial; with resection, with colostomy or ileostomy and creation of mucofistula | 44145 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Colectomy, partial; with coloproctostomy (low pelvic anastomosis) | 44146 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Colectomy, partial; with coloproctostomy (low pelvic anastomosis), with colostomy | 44147 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Colectomy, partial; abdominal and transanal approach | 96547 | Add On Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure, including separate incision(s) and closure, when performed; first 60 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 96548 | Add On Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure, including separate incision(s) and closure, when performed; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 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. | 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). | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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. | 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. | 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.) | 81 | Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number. | 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 | 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 | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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 |
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| 1995-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1995. |
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