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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Separate Anterior and Posterior Approaches for Cervical Fusion

Published on Thu Mar 24, 2011

Question: Our surgeon performed a 3-level anterior cervical fusion w/corpectomy, discectomy and decompression as well as hardware removal, C5 to T1. He used PEEK interspacers w/morsellized bone graft, as well as bone extender and Atlantis plate with screws. He completed a 5-level posterior cervical fusion w/C3-C5 laminectomy, lateral mass fusion and lateral mass plating from C3 to T1 with guidance for help in placing the screws. How should I code this encounter? Pennsylvania Subscriber Answer: There is insufficient information to provide specific coding recommendations. Performance of a corpectomy requires removal of more than half of the vertebral body and includes the adjacent level discectomies. The use of PEEK interspacers implies placement of interspace prosthetic devices which are used after anterior cervical discectomy rather than after corpectomy. If interspace decompressions were performed at three locations (C56, C67, C7T1), you would report 22551, 22552 times 2, 22851, 22851-59, 22851-59, 22845, 20936, and [...]
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