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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Dissect Procedural Components, Difficulty to Ace Glossectomy Coding

Published on Mon Feb 08, 2010

Warning: Plate stabilization probably won't win you modifier 22 approval. Even though a surgery may require complex steps not included in the CPT descriptor, that doesn't mean reporting additional codes or modifiers will gain the payer's stamp of approval. Use this coding case study to brush up on your tongue tumor resection coding knowledge. Code This Resection Procedure: Total glossectomy for base of tongue cancer via mandibulotomy with plate stabilization. Pre-/postoperative diagnosis(es): Recurrent base of  tongue cancer. Specimens sent to lab: Tongue, free flap, and frozen section biopsies from the areas closest to the tumor. Indications for surgery: Patient, who recently underwent left partial glossectomy and postoperative radiation therapy for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma, presents now with obvious base of tongue recurrence, biopsy proven. He requires definitive resection and free flap reconstruction. Findings in surgery: This patient had a squamous cell carcinoma at the junction of the native tongue and [...]
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