Surgery: Digestive System

 CPT Assistant, October 2021, Volume 31, Issue 10, page 14

Question:

A patient presented with a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) that was partially pulled out and previously placed T-fasteners that were broken. The stomach was insufflated, contrast was injected through the tube, and two additional T-fasteners were placed to secure the stomach against the anterior abdominal wall. The existing G-tube was repositioned and confirmed to be in the stomach. Fluoroscopy was performed and documented. What is the appropriate code to report for this procedure?

Answer:

The procedure should be reported with code 49440, Insertion of gastrostomy tube, percutaneous, under fluoroscopic guidance including contrast injection(s), image documentation and report, with modifier 52, Reduced Procedure, appended because a new G-tube was not inserted, only repositioned.