Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: The surgeon placed stereotactic depth electrodes for long-term seizure monitoring. The patient tugged at the wires until they loosened and became improperly placed. He was taken back to the operating room the next day so the surgeon could remove the electrodes and patch the burr holes. How should we code the procedures?

Nebraska Subscriber

Answer: Report 61760 (Stereotactic implantation of depth electrodes into the cerebrum for long-term seizure monitoring) for the original electrode placement. CPT doesn't include a code specifically for removal of this type of electrode because 61760 includes their eventual removal. Therefore, removal the following day is considered part of the original procedure and not separately coded.