Wiki Two stage decompression fasciotomy, lower leg.

[klienhart]

Hi all,

Surgeon did a decompression fasciotomy without debridement, 27602. Two days later he went in and opened the wounds up and did debridement of nonviable muscles, nerves. Would the second stage be coded as 27894 even though the surgeon is not making any new incisions. Or would it be coded as 27894-52 due to not making new incisions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Orthocoderpgu]

Since the wound was already open and only debridement was performed you would need to use 110XX, but your doc is going to need to document the size of the wound.

 

[klienhart]

Thank you True Blue. I was kind of thinking about 11043.

 

[Orthocoderpgu]

Thank you True Blue. I was kind of thinking about 11043.

The incisions for decompression faciotomies are very long. These wounds can be very large. These are not similar to smaller ulcerations that are usually debrided. The open wound should be over 20cm, so your doc will need to document the size so you can bill what they deserve.