AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) — Question 137

View MR 004397 -

MR 004397 -

Operative Report -
Preoperative Diagnosis: Calculi of the gallbladder
Postoperative Diagnosis: Calculi of the gallbladder, chronic cholecystitis

Procedure: Cholecystectomy -
Indications: The patient is a 50-year-old woman who has a history of RUQ pain, which ultrasound revealed to be multiple gallstones. She presents for removal of her gallbladder.
Procedure: The patient was brought to the OR and prepped and draped in a normal sterile fashion. After adequate general endotracheal anesthesia was obtained, a trocar was placed and C02 was insufflated into the abdomen until an adequate pneumoperitoneum was achieved. A laparoscope was placed at the umbilicus and the gallbladder and liver bed were visualized. The gallbladder was enlarged and thickened, and there was evidence of chronic inflammatory changes. Two additional ports were placed and graspers were used to free the gallbladder from the liver bed with a combination of sharp dissection and electrocautery. Cystic artery and duct are clipped. Dye is injected in the gallbladder. Cholangiography revealed no intraluminal defect or obstruction. Gallbladder is dissected from the liver bed. The scope and trocars are removed.
What CPT® coding is reported for this case?

Answer options

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct coding for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with cholangiography is CPT code 47563, which accounts for the complexity of the procedure involving the gallbladder. The other options either represent incorrect codes for the procedure performed or are not specific to laparoscopic techniques.