49002 Reopening of abdomen
Also known as: Abdominal reexploration, reopening, second look
Reopening of the abdominal cavity after a previous surgical closure to evaluate for complications, reoperation, or assessment of prior surgery.
In Plain Language
Opening abdomen again after previous surgery
Clinical Context
Performed for suspected sepsis, anastomotic leak, additional bleeding, or other early postoperative complications.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 17.19 |
| Total RVU | 17.19 |
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 17.19, this code ranks in the 78th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.2x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49002?
CPT 49002 (Reopening of abdomen) is a Surgery code. Reopening of the abdominal cavity after a previous surgical closure to evaluate for complications, reoperation, or assessment of prior surgery.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49002?
The work RVU for CPT 49002 is 17.19. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Critical Care Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 49002 used?
Performed for suspected sepsis, anastomotic leak, additional bleeding, or other early postoperative complications.
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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.