Surgery: Musculoskeletal System (Q&A) (December 2017)
December 2017 page 13a
Surgery: Musculoskeletal System
Question: A patient had a below-the-knee amputation three weeks ago. Yesterday, he had an above-the-knee amputation on the same leg. Should this be coded as an amputation or a re-amputation?
Answer: Because the work involved in performing an above-the-knee amputation is the same regardless if there had been a prior below-the-knee amputation, this procedure would be considered an amputation, not a re-amputation. Thus, this procedure should be reported with code 27590, Amputation, thigh, through femur, any level, and appending modifier 78, Unplanned Return to the Operating/Procedure Room by the Same Physician or...
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