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Finger mass excision help

Can someone help me out with a CPT and Dx for this op? I am thinking 26115 for the procedure but I’m at a loss for the diagnosis!

Post Op Dx– RT middle finger mass, possible foreign body granuloma

Procedure Performed– RT middle finger mass excision

Indications– Patient sustained a presumed puncture injury to the middle finger more than one month prior to surgery while gardening. Patient was treated for cellulitis, which resolved. But continued to note pain and sensation of a retained foreign body in the digit. After failure of conservative management, they wish to have this area explored and any abnormal tissue excised.

Description of Procedure– A small Brunner zigzag incision was made centered at the MP flexion crease, which represented the area of maximal tenderness and swelling. Subcutaneous dissection was carried out bluntly. No foreign body was identified, but there was an area of extensive scar tissue formation, possibly consistent with a foreign body granuloma. For additional visualization, a Brunner incision was extended proximally and distally. The radial and ulnar neurovascular bundles were identified and mobilized away from the soft tissue mass. The soft tissue mass appeared to be adherent to the A2 pulley. It was mobilized off the A2 pulley with no disruption of the pulley itself. The mass was excised and sent to pathology for analysis.

Pathology– Soft tissue, right middle finger, excision; Fibrous tissue with patchy chronic inflammation and giant cells.
Comment– No birefringent foreign material could be identified on polarized light microscopic examination, but the histologic features are suggestive of a foreign-body reaction, possibly to non-birefringent material, supporting the clinical impression. Correlation with clinical findings is recommended.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Excise Mucous Cyst & debride osteophytes left ring finger DIP Joint

Radiographic Findings consistent with mucous cyst & significant degenerative arthritis in the DIP joint.

Op Report: A curvilinear incision was made over dorsum of the left ring finger DIP joint. Dissection was carried through subcutaneous tissue. Full-thickness skin & subcutaneous tissue flaps were elevated. The mucous cyst was localized pretty centrally over the extensor mechanism distal to the DIP joint. The cyst was identified & mobilized & excised and originated from the dorsal ulnar corner of the joint. Both the dorsal Ulnar & dorsal Radial corner of the joint were identified & osteophytes were debrided with a rongeur off the base of the distal phalanx. The penrose drain was removed & bleeding controlled with electrocautery. The incision was irrigated & closed.

Coded with 26210 & 26160. One of our coders says per Margie Vaught that this is how we should be billing these. I feel that 26160 would include the debridement of the osteophytes since all through same incision. Can anyone advise on this issue. I found several questions similar to this, but am confused on why would these billed together when done through same incision. CPT Code 26210 is a Column 1 code with 26160 being a column 2 code, but unbundling is allowed. Thanks in advance for anyone who may be able to help.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Any hand coding experts?! Please help! I&D w/ finger amp

Can anyone please take a look at this op note below and tell me how you would code it? I’ve been looking at this note to long and its all a blur now! Insurance is Medicare. There’s a lot going on here in addition to whats written in the procedures performed section. I appreciate any help! Thanks in advance

Procedure Performed:
Left index finger amputation consisting of disarticulation at the MCP joint
Irrigation and debridement of the mid palmar space
Irrigation and debridement of the thenar space
Irrigation and debridement of the status post dorsal subcutaneous space
Irrigation and debridement of the webspaces between the thumb and index finger and index finger and long finger

Procedure was begun with an incision along the mid axial line at the level of the distal phalanx. Immediate and extensive purulence was encountered and the decision was made to proceed with amputation at the level of the DIP joint. A fishmouth incision was created the DIP was amputated, and septic joint involving the DIP was identified. One drill was then used to debride the distal aspect of the DIP joint which did demonstrate osteomyelitis within the middle phalanx we then turned our attention to the A1 pulley as extensive swelling was present along the radial aspect of the hand and longitudinal incision was made at the level of the A1 pulley and immediately upon entering the subcutaneous tissues, extensive purulence was encountered in the soft tissues overlying the A1 pulley. Dissection was carried down to the level of the A1 pulley, pulley was incised, and purulence was identified within the flexor tendon sheath. Tendon demonstrated extensive fraying consistent with chronic infection and the tendons were retracted to expose the joint capsule incision was made within the joint capsule and extensive septic arthritis involving the MCP joint was identified with involvement of the base of the proximal phalanx. An additional incision was made overlying the thenar musculature and immediately upon spreading within the subcutaneous tissues with tenotomy scissors, a large amount of purulence was encountered within the thenar space and upon further dissection, purulence was encountered within the mid palmar space. As extensive purulence continued to be encountered along the radial aspect of the hand, we turned our attention to the dorsum of the hand, an incision was made in the webspace of the thumb and index finger, again with purulence encountered within the webspace with purulence tracking dorsally into the subcutaneous space of the hand finally, an incision was made in the interosseous space between the second and third digits, again with purulence involving the webspace between the index and long finger and also with purulence tracking through the palm of the hand between the second and third metacarpal to the palmar aspect of the hand. At this point, with osteomyelitis extensively involving the distal, middle, and proximal phalanx as well as the DIP and MCP joints and the flexor tendon sheath of the index finger, the decision was made to perform a disarticulation of the index finger. A fishmouth style incision was created, the index finger was disarticulated, and the finger sent to pathology. We then turned our attention to further dissection through the multiply named incisions prepared previously with care taken to spread through muscle compartments and deep spaces with tenotomy scissors to prevent iatrogenic injury to nerves or vessels of the hand. Purulence did not extend beyond the third metacarpal palmarly or dorsally approximately 15 cc of purulence was encountered dorsally and volarly between the long finger and thumb. Any devitalized tissues were removed including bone, tendon, flexor tendon sheath, subcutaneous tissues, and skin. Instrumentation used to perform this debridement included 15 blade, tenotomy scissors, and curettes. After debridement had been completed, 6 L of normal saline with polymyxin and bacitracin were utilized with cystoscopy tubing in an attempt to fully irrigate the wounds and remove any remaining purulence all wounds were again spread with tenotomy scissors to ensure that no further pockets of purulence remained, and after we had confirmed that all abscesses have been broken up, all deep spaces drained, and purulence and necrotic material removed to the best of our ability, the tourniquet was deflated. Hemostasis was then obtained with a combination of bipolar electrocautery and Bovie electrocautery and all incisions were loosely closed with interrupted 3-0 Prolene. 3 1/4 inch Penrose drains were placed him a 1 within the amputation site, 1 within the thenar space of the hand, and 1 within the dorsal subcutaneous space of the hand. Both wounds closed and drains placed, dressings were applied which consisted of Xeroform, 4 x 4’s, Kling, Kerlix, and an Ace wrap. Patient was then awakened from general anesthesia and transported the holding area in stable condition.
*

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Alumafoam finger splint and buddy taping on the same finger

Hi,

Physician treats the left little finger with buddy taping and alumafoam finger splint during the same visit. I would use 29130 for alumafoam finger splint and 29280 for buddy taping. CCI does not restrict billing both codes in the same location. Is that correct and can 29130 and 29280 be billed together in that case?

Thank you,
Maiu

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Trigger finger vs. Tenosynovectomy

Possible a dumb question. Can someone explain the difference between trigger finger release and tenosynovitis. I actually know the difference, but the op note is a little confusing.

Pre-op DX: Index, Long, Ring, and Small flexor tenosynovitis

Post op DX: Index, Long, Ring, and Small A1 pulley release and flexor tenosynovectomy.

Procedure: Index, Long, Ring, and Small A1 pulley release and flexor tenosynovectomy.

Procedure: A 15 blade was used to make a transverse incision to level of A1 pulley. This was carried down to subcutaneous tissue using tenotomy scissors. The neurovascular bundles were identified on each side of the fiber osseous sheath and retracted with nerve retractors placed within the confines of the wound. Once the A1 pulley was identified, an axial incision was made in the midline of it dividing it completely. This was carried proximally and distally with tenotomy scissors. Tenotomy scissors were used to perform FLEXOR TENOSYNOVECTOMY for the index, long, ring and small fingers. After this was done again the neurovascular bindles were inspected and found to be intact. The Ragnell retractor was used to pull the tendon into the wound to ensure that it had been completely released from the pulley. The tourniquet was let down. Sterile dressing was applied.

I realize it says the Dr. checked to see that the tendon was released from the pulley, but wouldn’t I code for the tenosynovectomies (26145) and use tenosynovitis (m65.842) as my DX? The A1 pulley release cpt code is 26055 is for trigger finger. And trigger finger and tenosynovectomy are inclusive of each other. For the office visits prior to the surgery the Dr. is using the trigger finger dx. So what should I be coding this as?

Medical Billing and Coding Forum