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Official Description

Repair of nail bed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 11760 involves the repair of the nail bed, which is a critical component of the nail structure that supports nail growth and integrity. This procedure is typically performed following a laceration that compromises the nail bed, which can lead to deformities if not properly addressed. During the repair process, the distal portion of the nail plate may be avulsed, allowing the healthcare provider to inspect the underlying nail matrix while preserving as much of the proximal nail plate as possible. In cases of more complex lacerations, complete avulsion of the nail may be necessary to facilitate adequate repair. The injured nail tissue undergoes irrigation and debridement to remove any debris or damaged tissue, ensuring a clean area for repair. The nail bed and matrix are then meticulously reapposed and secured using absorbable sutures, which dissolve over time, eliminating the need for suture removal. Additionally, the avulsed nail may be debrided, trimmed, and reattached to the nail bed to restore its natural appearance and function. This procedure is essential for preventing long-term complications associated with nail bed injuries, such as nail deformities or infections.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 11760 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Laceration of the nail bed - This procedure is performed when the nail bed has been compromised due to a laceration, which can lead to deformities if not repaired.
  • Injury to the distal nail plate - When the distal nail plate is avulsed, it allows for inspection and repair of the underlying nail matrix.
  • Complex nail injuries - In cases where the laceration is complex, complete nail avulsion may be necessary to ensure proper repair of the nail bed.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the repair of the nail bed involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Avulsion of the distal nail plate - The distal portion of the nail plate is carefully avulsed to provide access to the nail matrix. This step is crucial for assessing the extent of the injury and determining the appropriate repair method while preserving as much of the proximal nail plate as possible.
  • Step 2: Inspection and debridement - Once the distal nail plate is avulsed, the underlying nail tissue is thoroughly inspected. Any damaged or necrotic tissue is irrigated and debrided to ensure a clean surgical field, which is essential for optimal healing.
  • Step 3: Repair of the nail bed and matrix - The nail bed and matrix are then carefully reapposed. This involves aligning the edges of the nail bed to promote proper healing and nail growth. Absorbable sutures are used to secure the tissue in place, minimizing the risk of complications.
  • Step 4: Reattachment of the avulsed nail - The avulsed nail is trimmed and debrided as necessary before being reattached to the nail bed. This step helps restore the nail's natural appearance and function.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, the injury site is dressed with a nonadherent dressing to protect the area and promote healing. Patients are typically advised on post-procedure care, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, monitoring for signs of infection, and avoiding activities that could stress the repaired nail bed. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to assess healing and ensure that the nail bed is recovering properly.

Short Descr REPAIR OF NAIL BED
Medium Descr REPAIR NAIL BED
Long Descr Repair of nail bed
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - 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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures 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 Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6A - Minor procedures - skin
MUE 4
CCS Clinical Classification 175 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast
TA Left foot, great toe
T5 Right foot, great toe
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.
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
T7 Right foot, third digit
T2 Left foot, third digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T6 Right foot, second digit
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
T1 Left foot, second digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
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).
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
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.
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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
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
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
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)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
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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Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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