Lysis of Adhesions

POLICY NUMBER

None

DESCRIPTION

None

POLICY

According to CPT guidelines, all abdominal and peritoneal procedures include the lysis of some adhesions. When the adhesions are few in number, are reasonably easy to lyse, and add very little additional time and effort to the major procedure, it is inappropriate to report the lysis of adhesions.

However, if the lysis of adhesions is extensive and add significant time and complexity to the major procedure, the lysis of adhesions can be reported. The physician has the option of adding modifier -22 to the major procedure or listing the appropriate lysis of adhesions procedure code (44005, 44180,  58559, 58660, or 58740) in addition to the major procedure code. Multiple surgery guidelines apply. Modifier -51 should be appended to the secondary surgical procedure code.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

None

POLICY GUIDELINES

The coding guidelines outlined in Coding Policy should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefits plan language.

POLICY HISTORY

1/2003: Policy developed

12/29/2017: Removed deleted code 44200 (deleted 12/31/2005) and added new code 44180 (effective 1/1/2006).

SOURCE(S)

None

CODE REFERENCE

None