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S176
S176 – Intestinal obstruction (mechanical) - with entero-enterostomy
OHIP Urology Code — DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
This service is for a one-stage surgical procedure to relieve a mechanical intestinal obstruction, which includes the creation of an entero-enterostomy (a surgical connection between two segments of the intestine). Note: If this is performed as a staged procedure, refer to the Surgical Preamble .
When to Use
- Use S176 for a definitive, single-stage surgical intervention to resolve a mechanical intestinal obstruction that necessitates an entero-enterostomy.
- Select S176 when the primary intent is the relief of the obstruction via resection and anastomosis, distinguishing it from simple lysis of adhesions (S175) or procedures involving colostomy/ileostomy (S177).
Common Pitfalls
- Billing S176 alongside S175 (lysis of adhesions) without clear documentation of distinct, separate pathology, as lysis is often considered an integral part of the obstruction repair.
- Failing to apply the 15% reduction rule when performing multiple procedures during the same operative session, as S176 is subject to the standard multiple procedure billing adjustments.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the operative report explicitly details the entero-enterostomy, as this is the defining component of the S176 fee compared to other obstruction codes.
- If the procedure is performed as part of a staged approach, ensure you reference the Surgical Preamble SP2 to justify the billing of multiple stages rather than a single-stage code.
Provider Fee$1,023.75
Surgical Assistant Fee$77.46
Anaesthetist Fee$111.72
Non-Anaesthetist Fee$111.72
Effective: April 1, 2026
Category
S. Digestive System Surgical Procedures
Subcategory
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Service Type
Surgical
Code Classes
Digestive System Surgical Procedures
If staged procedure, refer to Surgical Preamble .
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