Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in December 2014.
This document replaces the previous guidance on single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (NICE interventional procedure guidance 346, September 2009)
Description
Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) aims to remove the gallbladder through a single incision, which is usually made near the umbilicus. The claimed benefits of this procedure over standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy include less pain, shorter recovery time, fewer wound complications and improved cosmesis.
SILC is done with the patient under general anaesthesia. There are 2 surgical approaches. One uses a single umbilical skin incision with skin flaps to insert ports through multiple fascial punctures. The other uses a specifically designed device that allows multiple instruments to be passed through a single port placed in or near the umbilicus. A pneumoperitoneum is established and the gallbladder is retracted with a laparoscopic instrument ('grasper') or by a transabdominal suture. The hilum of the gallbladder is dissected using endoscopic instruments. The cystic artery and cystic duct are clipped and divided, and the gallbladder is separated from the liver. At least 1 additional port in the epigastrium may be needed if a cholangiogram is performed or if the common bile duct is explored. The gallbladder is removed through the umbilical incision.
Coding recommendations
Single port incision surgery for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is coded in the same way as multiple port incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
A code from category J18.- Excision of gall bladder below plus Y75.2 Laparoscopic approach to abdominal cavity NEC is assigned as appropriate:
J18.1 Total cholecystectomy and excision of surrounding tissue
J18.2 Total cholecystectomy and exploration of common bile duct
Includes: Cholecystectomy and exploration of common bile duct NEC
J18.3 Total cholecystectomy NEC
Includes: Cholecystectomy NEC
J18.4 Partial cholecystectomy and exploration of common bile duct
J18.5 Partial cholecystectomy NEC
J18.8 Other specified excision of gall bladder
J18.9 Unspecified excision of gall bladder
For example the OPCS-4 codes for single port incision surgery for laparoscopic cholecystectomy that is not further specified are:
J18.3 Total cholecystectomy NEC
Includes: Cholecystectomy NEC
Y75.2 Laparoscopic approach to abdominal cavity NEC
If both a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and an operative cholangiography are performed at the same time, then both procedures need to be coded. The OPCS-4 codes assigned are:
J18.- Excision of gall bladder
A fourth character is assigned as appropriate
Y75.2 Laparoscopic approach to abdominal cavity NEC
J37.2 Operative cholangiography through cystic duct.