Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: Our physician debrided a cholesteatoma in the external ear canal. How is this coded? 

Missouri Subscriber

Answer: The best code choice is 69220 (Debridement, mastoidectomy cavity, simple [e.g., routine cleaning]). During the procedure, the provider removes granulation tissue, then irrigates the cavity and the external auditory canal with normal saline. He finishes by instilling antibiotic drops in the bony cavity and applying a dressing.

Refresher: A cholesteatoma is an abnormal, noncancerous skin growth that can develop in the middle section of the ear, behind the eardrum. It may be a birth defect, but it’s most commonly caused by repeated middle ear infections. A cholesteatoma often develops as a cyst, or sac, that sheds layers of old skin.