E673 – Lysis of extensive intra-abdominal adhesions
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — SURGICAL PREAMBLE · Schedule of Benefits
E673 is payable to the surgeon in addition to the fee for the major intra-abdominal procedure when at least 60 minutes of operative time is spent performing adhesiolysis. Adhesiolysis of less than 60 minutes is included in the fee for the major intra-abdominal procedure.
When to Use
- Use E673 when performing a major intra-abdominal procedure (e.g., bowel resection) where the time spent solely on adhesiolysis exceeds 60 minutes.
- Use E673 for patients with significant post-radiation scarring or dense, multi-planar adhesions that require extensive dissection before the primary procedure can commence.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing E673 without explicitly documenting the start and end times of the adhesiolysis, which is the primary trigger for audit rejection.
- Attempting to bill E673 for standard adhesiolysis that is considered an inherent part of the surgical approach for the primary procedure (e.g., routine lysis during a repeat C-section or simple laparoscopic entry).
Billing Tips
- Ensure your operative report contains a distinct paragraph detailing the lysis of adhesions, specifically noting the time spent, the anatomical location, and the complexity of the tissue planes to justify the 60-minute threshold.
Effective: April 1, 2026
SP. Surgical Preamble
SURGICAL PREAMBLE
Procedure
Digestive System Surgical Procedures
The total time required for the lysis of adhesions must be documented in the patient's permanent medical record to justify that at least 60 minutes of operative time was spent performing adhesiolysis.
25. Lysis of extensive intra-abdominal adhesions and/or scarring e.g. post radiation
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