Reader Questions:
Tracheoplasty Coding Help
Published on Sat Mar 01, 2003
Question: How should I code a tracheoplasty with vocal-cord medialization? The surgeon made the incision through the thyroid cartilage. The supporting diagnosis was hoarseness and vocal-cord paralysis. Missouri Subscriber Answer: The anesthesia code for tracheoplasty is 00320 (Anesthesia for all procedures on esophagus, thyroid, larynx, trachea and lymphatic system of neck; not otherwise specified). If the carrier requires surgical codes, use 31755 (Tracheoplasty; tracheopharyngeal fistulization, each stage), assuming that the surgeon created a fistula.