Patient presents to the emergency room with right lower abdominal pains. Emergency room physician suspects possible appendicitis. Patient was taken to the operating room where a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Pathology report was negative for appendicitis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The laparoscopic appendectomy (44970) is the code that should be used since the surgeon performed the surgery even though the pathology report was negative for appendicitis. Code 44950 would not be appropriate since the pathology report showed negative results. Code 44901 would not apply since the procedure was performed laparoscopically. Code 49320 is used when the surgeon performs a diagnostic laparoscopy and converts to an open procedure.

Patient Presents to the Emergency Room with Right Lower Abdominal