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The CPT® Code 11011 refers to a specific surgical procedure known as debridement, which involves the removal of foreign material from the site of an open fracture and/or an open dislocation. This procedure is critical in managing contaminated wounds, as it helps to prevent infection and promote healing. During the debridement process, the surgeon meticulously explores the injury site to identify and remove any irreparable or nonviable tissue, which may include ischemic or necrotic areas. The procedure begins with copious irrigation of the wound to eliminate as much foreign matter and bacteria as possible, ensuring a cleaner surgical field. Following this, a new sterile field is established for further surgical exploration and debridement of the contaminated wound. The surgeon employs sharp dissection techniques to enlarge the wound, allowing for better visualization of the underlying structures. Nonviable margins of the wound are carefully excised, and dissection may extend through the subcutaneous tissue, fascia, muscle, and even bone, depending on the extent of contamination and tissue viability. Muscle tissue is assessed for viability by evaluating its color, consistency, contraction, and circulation. The fascia is incised parallel to the muscle fibers, and any nonviable muscle tissue is excised. Additionally, contaminated or nonviable cortical bone may be removed using a chisel. Throughout the procedure, care is taken to protect vital structures such as blood vessels, nerves, tendon sheaths, viable periosteum, and soft tissue attached to the bone. Once all nonviable tissue has been adequately removed, indicated by the presence of bleeding from the exposed surfaces, the physician may choose to close the wound or leave it open for drainage. This code is specifically used for debridement that involves skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle, distinguishing it from other codes that pertain to different levels of tissue involvement.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 11011 is indicated for the management of open fractures and/or open dislocations that are contaminated with foreign material. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 11011 involves several critical steps to ensure effective debridement of the contaminated wound:
After the debridement procedure associated with CPT® Code 11011, appropriate post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery. The wound may be left open to drain, which allows for continued monitoring and management of any potential infection. If the wound is closed, careful attention must be paid to signs of infection or complications. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess the healing process and determine if further interventions are necessary. Patients may be advised on wound care, signs of infection to watch for, and any restrictions on activity to promote healing. The overall goal of post-procedure care is to ensure proper recovery and prevent complications associated with the open fracture and/or dislocation.
| Short Descr | DEBRIDE SKIN MUSC AT FX SITE | Medium Descr | DBRDMT W/RMVL FM FX&/DISLC SKN SUBQ T/M/F MUSC | Long Descr | Debridement including removal of foreign material at the site of an open fracture and/or an open dislocation (eg, excisional debridement); skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, and muscle | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 2 - 150% payment adjustment does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 169 - Debridement of wound, infection or burn |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 20700 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), deep (eg, subfascial) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 20701 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), deep (eg, subfascial) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | AG | Primary physician | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | E1 | Upper left, eyelid | E4 | Lower right, eyelid | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F2 | Left hand, third digit | F3 | Left hand, fourth digit | F4 | Left hand, fifth digit | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F6 | Right hand, second digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | F8 | Right hand, fourth digit | F9 | Right hand, fifth digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GJ | "opt out" physician or practitioner emergency or urgent service | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | T4 | Left foot, fifth digit | T5 | Right foot, great toe | TA | Left foot, great toe | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Long description revised. Short description changed. |
| 1997-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1997. |
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