General Surgery Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Leg Amputation
Published on Mon Apr 01, 2002
Question: How do leg amputation codes differ from each other?
New Hampshire Subscriber
Answer: Leg amputation codes (27880-27882) differ according to technique. The most commonly performed procedure is coded 27880 (Amputation, leg, through tibia and fibula): The patient's leg is amputated, and the remaining skin flaps are closed around the amputation site. Code 27881 ( with immediate fitting technique including application of first cast) is reported when a cast is fitted in preparation for an artificial leg to be placed. Report 27882 ( open, circular [guillotine]) when the leg is amputated and there is no skin flap (i.e., the stump is left open).
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General Surgery Coding Alert
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Question: To perform a liver resection, our surgeon performed a cholecystectomy. Can we bill separately [...] - Reader Question:
Wide Excision Biopsy
Question: Our surgeon's card merely noted that he performed a "wide excision" biopsy of sarcoma, [...] - Reader Question:
Leg Amputation
Question: How do leg amputation codes differ from each other?
New Hampshire Subscriber
Answer: Leg amputation [...] - Reader Question:
Wedge Biopsy of Liver
Question: An exploratory laparotomy and wedge biopsy of the liver were performed. The mass was [...] - Reader Question:
Pediatric Shunt Insertions
Question: Some of our surgeons have worked with pediatric neurosurgeons to insert ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) or [...]
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