Deanine
New
Hello, can anyone help with the following procedure? Dr. coded out a 20520 but is being denied for not being muscle or tendon and not having done an incision. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks
I have done the following procedure. After careful alcohol prep at the base of the left thumb, a total volume of 5 cc of 2% plain lidocaine and 5 cc of 0.25% plain Marcaine were injected using meticulous sterile technique as a metacarpal block. Once the thumb had been appropriately anesthetized, the protruding limb of the staple volarly was grasped and the staple gently slid out of the finger. This did not feel as if it had been embedded in bone as it did come out quite smoothly. There was expected bleeding upon removal of the staple and the thumb was soaked for 10 minutes in dilute Betadine water solution. The thumb was then dressed with Xeroform and gauze compression dressing secured with Coban.
Radiographs taken following the staple removal demonstrated an intact left thumb distal phalanx. This was a soft tissue penetration only.
I have done the following procedure. After careful alcohol prep at the base of the left thumb, a total volume of 5 cc of 2% plain lidocaine and 5 cc of 0.25% plain Marcaine were injected using meticulous sterile technique as a metacarpal block. Once the thumb had been appropriately anesthetized, the protruding limb of the staple volarly was grasped and the staple gently slid out of the finger. This did not feel as if it had been embedded in bone as it did come out quite smoothly. There was expected bleeding upon removal of the staple and the thumb was soaked for 10 minutes in dilute Betadine water solution. The thumb was then dressed with Xeroform and gauze compression dressing secured with Coban.
Radiographs taken following the staple removal demonstrated an intact left thumb distal phalanx. This was a soft tissue penetration only.