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
2003-2022 | 2023 | Definition | 2024 | 2024 Definition |
36 | A360 | Local or partial pancreatectomy and duodenectomy WITHOUT distal/partial gastrectomy
|
B351 | Local or partial pancreatectomy and duodenectomy WITHOUT distal/partial gastrectomy, pylorus preserving Whipple |
37 | A370 | Local or partial pancreatectomy and duodenectomy WITH partial gastrectomy (Whipple)
|
B352 | Local or partial pancreatectomy and duodenectomy WITH partial gastrectomy (Classic Whipple) |