Procedure Code Dilemma for Adhesion release
I have a chart where the patient required surgery for removal of Infected Mesh s/p ventral hernia repair. The adhesions were documented as significant and op report states " a significant amount of bowel plastered to the anterior abd wall" and refers to meticulous dissection to takedown the bowel, etc. I queried for the portion of bowel that was involved in this release. He sincerely said, "I don't know" and said it was a swollen intestine, unable to identify. I said, could you narrow it down to large or small intestine, etc and he said no. Any thoughts on what your next step would be in this case?
Comments
I think if the Surgeon is unable to determine the body part released then you don't have a procedure to code for the lysis of adhesions.
Jeff