49000 Exploration of abdomen
Also known as: Abdominal exploration, exploratory laparotomy, open exploration
Surgical exploration of the abdominal cavity through an incision to evaluate intra-abdominal pathology, including organ inspection and tissue biopsy.
In Plain Language
Opening the abdomen to look for problems
Clinical Context
Performed for acute abdomen, trauma evaluation, or when imaging cannot establish diagnosis. Allows direct visualization of intra-abdominal contents.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 12.23 |
| Total RVU | 12.23 |
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 12.23, this code ranks in the 66th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.5x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49000?
CPT 49000 (Exploration of abdomen) is a Surgery code. Surgical exploration of the abdominal cavity through an incision to evaluate intra-abdominal pathology, including organ inspection and tissue biopsy.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49000?
The work RVU for CPT 49000 is 12.23. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Trauma Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 49000 used?
Performed for acute abdomen, trauma evaluation, or when imaging cannot establish diagnosis. Allows direct visualization of intra-abdominal contents.
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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.