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E739
E739 – Laparotomy with repair of diaphragm
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
This service is an add-on fee payable in addition to the fee for laparotomy for acute trauma (`S321`) when repair of the diaphragm is also performed. This fee is applicable to the surgeon (suffix A) and may have an assistant fee (suffix B) with 4 base units.
When to Use
- Use E739 only when performing a diaphragm repair during an acute trauma laparotomy billed under S321.
- Apply this code when the diaphragm injury is identified and repaired as a secondary component of the primary trauma laparotomy.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing E739 as a standalone procedure; it is strictly an add-on code and will be rejected if not linked to S321.
- Failing to document the specific repair of the diaphragm in the operative report, which is required to justify the add-on fee during an audit.
- Attempting to bill E739 for elective diaphragmatic hernia repairs, which are not considered acute trauma and are covered under different surgical codes.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the surgical assistant (suffix B) claims the 4 base units associated with this add-on code to maximize the assistant's total fee.
- Apply relevant trauma premiums (E420) or after-hours premiums (E409/E410) to the combined total of the primary procedure and the E739 add-on fee.
Provider Fee$139.60
Surgical Assistant Fee$51.64
Effective: April 1, 2026
Category
S. Digestive System Surgical Procedures
Subcategory
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Service Type
Surgical
Code Classes
Digestive System Surgical Procedures
This is an add-on code and must be billed in conjunction with the primary procedure `S321`.
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