Summary & Overview
CPT 44310: Open Loop Enterostomy of Small Intestine
Headline: CPT code 44310 defines open creation of a small-intestine loop enterostomy for access to the ileum or jejunum
Lead: CPT code 44310 describes an open surgical procedure to exteriorize and mature a loop or segment of small intestine (ileum or jejunum) to the abdominal wall to provide direct access for decompression or emptying. The code captures a distinct operative service used in acute surgical care and has implications for facility, surgeon billing, and post-operative care pathways.
CPT code 44310 represents an open enterostomy procedure performed to establish direct access to the small bowel. This procedure matters nationally because it is used in emergent and elective surgical management of bowel obstruction, short bowel scenarios, or when temporary access for feeding or decompression is required. Payment and coverage policies for this code affect hospital inpatient and outpatient surgical payments and provider billing practices.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of clinical context, typical sites of service, common billing considerations, and benchmarks where available. The publication summarizes what to expect in coding and service delivery, highlights policy updates when applicable, and provides national-level context for utilization and reimbursement patterns.
Data not available in the input for detailed modifiers, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 44310 describes an open surgical procedure in which the surgeon exteriorizes a loop or segment of the small intestine (ileum or jejunum) through an incision and matures it to a small opening in the abdominal wall. The purpose of this procedure is to provide direct access to the small intestine for functions such as decompression or emptying.
-
Service type: Open intestinal diversion/enterostomy creation
-
Typical site of service: Operating room or surgical suite in an acute care hospital or ambulatory surgical center
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult with chronic intestinal obstruction, severe neurogenic bowel with failed conservative management, or high-risk enteric fistula requiring long-term decompression or enteral access. The patient presents to the hospital after outpatient evaluation or emergency admission for progressive symptoms such as recurrent vomiting, abdominal distension, or inability to tolerate oral intake. Preoperative evaluation includes history and physical, imaging (abdominal CT or contrast studies) confirming suitable small-bowel loop and absence of diffuse peritonitis, and informed consent discussing stoma care.
In the operating room under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an open abdominal incision, identifies a loop of distal ileum or jejunum, and brings it to the abdominal wall. A controlled enterotomy is created and the bowel is secured to the fascia and skin to form a stoma or feeding/venting enterostomy. Postoperative care includes stoma assessment, bowel function monitoring, pain control, and education with wound and ostomy nursing. Typical site of service is an inpatient hospital operating room or an ambulatory surgical center when clinically appropriate. The service type is an open surgical small-bowel enterostomy (surgical procedure).
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work, time, or complexity substantially exceeds usual for . |