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General Surgery Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Axillary Lymphadenectomy

Published on Mon Jul 01, 2002

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Question: Which code should I used for an axillary lymphadenectomy? Florida Subscriber Answer: The correct code depends on how well the surgeon documented the depth of the excised lymph nodes. CPT offers 38740 (Axillary lymphadenectomy; superficial) and 38745 ( complete). If the surgeon documented that he or she entered the muscle and removed deep lymph nodes in addition to superficial nodes, report 38745. Otherwise, you should bill only a superficial lymphadenectomy using 38740.
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