Tumor Tip of the Week 01-19-2024 Whipple

Scenario: 1-19-2024 diagnosed with Pancreas Adenocarcinoma treated with a Pyloric-preserving Whipple operation with pancreaticoduodenectomy

Question: How would you code the Primary Surgery Code?

• B350 Local or partial pancreatectomy and duodenectomy, NOS, Example: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Procedure)
• B351 Local or partial pancreatectomy and duodenectomy WITHOUT distal/partial gastrectomy, pylorus preserving Whipple
• B352 Local or partial pancreatectomy and duodenectomy WITH partial gastrectomy, Classic Whipple

Answer & Rationale:

• B351 Local or partial pancreatectomy and duodenectomy WITHOUT distal/partial gastrectomy, pylorus preserving Whipple

Tip: Review prior years Pancreas Cases. Code 36/A360 did not contain the word “Whipple”. I found that people were coding Whipple Procedures without a gastrectomy incorrectly as an A370.  They were just using their registry software dropdowns, saw the word Whipple & picked the wrong code.

Pancreas Surgery Codes