2025 CPT code 47535
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Digestive System Surgery Feed
Percutaneous conversion of an external biliary drainage catheter to an internal-external drainage catheter, encompassing diagnostic cholangiography (if performed), imaging guidance, and radiological supervision and interpretation.
Modifiers may be used as clinically indicated (e.g., modifier 59 for distinct procedural service if multiple procedures are performed in the same session).Refer to current CPT guidelines.
The procedure is medically necessary when there is evidence of biliary obstruction causing significant symptoms (e.g., jaundice, abdominal pain, cholangitis) and conservative management has failed or is not feasible.Conversion from external to internal-external drainage may be necessary to improve drainage, reduce infection risk, and improve patient comfort.
The interventional radiologist or surgeon is responsible for performing the procedure, which involves percutaneous access, catheter manipulation, imaging guidance, and radiological interpretation.
In simple words: This code covers a procedure where a doctor changes a tube draining bile from the body (an external tube) to a new tube that drains bile both inside the body (into the intestines) and outside. This includes imaging and monitoring.
This CPT code, 47535, describes the percutaneous conversion of an existing external biliary drainage catheter to an internal-external drainage catheter.The procedure involves removing the external catheter and replacing it with an internal-external catheter that allows drainage both internally (into the small intestine) and externally.Diagnostic cholangiography, if performed, along with imaging guidance (e.g., fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation are included.The procedure is performed using a percutaneous approach.
Example 1: A patient presents with a blocked bile duct and has an external biliary drainage catheter in place.The physician decides to convert this to an internal-external catheter to facilitate better drainage and potentially reduce the risk of infection., A patient with an existing external biliary drainage catheter experiences recurrent biliary obstruction requiring conversion to an internal-external catheter to improve drainage and prevent complications. Cholangiography is performed to evaluate the patency of the bile ducts., A patient with biliary obstruction undergoes placement of an external biliary drainage catheter. After the initial placement, the physician decides to convert the external catheter to an internal-external drainage catheter to allow for both internal and external drainage.
* Pre-procedure assessment and imaging (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan) to determine the location and extent of biliary obstruction.* Documentation of the type of catheter used (external vs. internal-external).* Detailed operative report describing the procedure, including percutaneous access site, catheter placement, and any complications.* Imaging reports (e.g., fluoroscopy images) showing the placement of the catheter and any contrast studies performed.* Medical records supporting the medical necessity of the procedure.
** This procedure is considered more complex than a simple exchange (47536) because it involves converting from an external to an internal-external catheter, thus requiring a separate code.
- Revenue Code: P1G (Major Procedure - Other)
- RVU: Information not available in provided source.
- Global Days : Information not available in provided source.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Information not available in provided source.
- Fee Schedule : Information not available in provided source.
- Specialties:Interventional Radiology, Surgery (General Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery)
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center