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General Surgery Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Resection of Zenkers Diverticulum

Published on Sat Jun 01, 2002

Question: The surgeon performed cricomyotomy with diverticulectomy to resect the Zenker's diverticulum. The approach was via the sternocleidomastoid and was dissected to the vertebral column. Should we code the procedure as 43130 (Diverticulectomy of hypopharynx or esophagus, with or without myotomy; cervical approach) or 43135 ( thoracic approach)? Missouri Subscriber Answer: Code 43130 is correct. The sternocleido-mastoid (SCM) is the prominent neck muscle, seen on the contralateral side of the neck in relation to the direction the head is turned. Therefore, the approach most likely was cervical, not thoracic.
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