Lysing Adhesions

Question:

The patient had extensive adhesions that had to be lysed. Is it appropriate to report 44005, enterolysis (freeing of adhesion), along with the code for the primary surgery?

Answer:

No, 44005 enterolysis (freeing of adhesions) for an open procedure and 44180, Laparoscopic enterolysis, are both designated as “separate procedures.” They are considered integral to the primary procedure at the same anatomic site. Appending a modifier 22 would be appropriate to reflect the additional work performed.

Source: ACS Bulletin November 2019

*This response is based on the best information available as of 08/03/23.