47460 Incise bile duct sphincter
Also known as: Sphincterotomy, sphincter of Oddi incision
Surgical incision of the sphincter of Oddi (the muscular valve at the junction of the pancreatic and common bile ducts entering the duodenum) to relieve obstruction.
In Plain Language
Opening the valve controlling bile and pancreatic juice flow into the intestine
Clinical Context
Performed for sphincter dysfunction, papillary stenosis, or when standard bile duct exploration is complicated. May be done as part of other biliary procedures.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 20.01 |
| Total RVU | 20.01 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 20.01, this code ranks in the 82nd percentile among Surgery codes — 2.5x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 47460?
CPT 47460 (Incise bile duct sphincter) is a Surgery code. Surgical incision of the sphincter of Oddi (the muscular valve at the junction of the pancreatic and common bile ducts entering the duodenum) to relieve obstruction.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 47460?
The work RVU for CPT 47460 is 20.01. This code is primarily used by Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 47460 used?
Performed for sphincter dysfunction, papillary stenosis, or when standard bile duct exploration is complicated. May be done as part of other biliary procedures.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.