Reader Question:
Sciatic Nerve Exploration
Published on Thu Aug 01, 2002
Question: Is there a CPT code to denote exploration of the sciatic nerve with release of piriformis muscle and lysis of adhesions? Our orthopedist circled 27299 (Unlisted procedure, pelvis or hip joint), but I don't think it's the correct code. Wyoming Subscriber Answer: You should ask the orthopedist for more specifics about the surgery. You may want to suggest 64712 (Neuroplasty, major peripheral nerve, arm or leg; sciatic nerve) for the sciatic nerve exploration and, if the piriformis release was a tenotomy, recommend 27006 (Tenotomy, abductors and/or extensor[s] of hip, open [separate procedure]).
No Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits restrict you from billing these codes together, so if the orthopedist agrees that these codes more accurately represent the work he completed, you should use these instead of unlisted-procedure code 27299.
