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The procedure described by CPT® Code 20665 involves the removal of tongs or a halo device that has been previously applied by another healthcare professional. This procedure is critical in managing patients who have undergone cervical stabilization using these devices. The removal process requires careful attention to maintain cervical alignment, ensuring that the patient's neck remains stable throughout the procedure. The tongs or halo are typically secured to the skull with pins, which must be unscrewed methodically to prevent any injury or complications. After the removal of the device, the pin sites, which are the points of entry for the pins into the skull, are cleansed to reduce the risk of infection. In some cases, bone wax may be applied to these sites to promote healing and protect the underlying bone. Finally, the pin sites may be closed with sutures, and a dressing is applied as necessary to safeguard the area and facilitate recovery. This procedure is essential for patients transitioning from a state of immobilization to one of increased mobility, and it requires skilled execution to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 20665 is indicated for patients who have had tongs or a halo device applied for cervical stabilization. The following conditions may warrant the removal of these devices:
The procedure for the removal of tongs or a halo involves several critical steps to ensure patient safety and effective outcomes. Each step is performed with precision and care:
After the removal of the tongs or halo, the patient may require monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding at the pin sites. The healthcare provider will provide instructions for post-procedure care, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, observing for any signs of infection, and managing pain as needed. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing process and ensure that the patient is recovering appropriately. The application of a dressing may be necessary until the pin sites have healed adequately, and the patient should be advised on any activity restrictions to promote optimal recovery.
| Short Descr | RMVL TONGS/HALO ANTHR INDIV | Medium Descr | REMOVAL TONGS/HALO APPLIED BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL | Long Descr | Removal of tongs or halo applied by another individual | 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) | 0 - 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 | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 161 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on bone |
| 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). | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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). | 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. | 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.) | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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