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Official Description

Excision of malignant tumor of mandible; radical resection

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 21045 involves the excision of a malignant tumor located in the mandible, which is the lower jawbone. This surgical intervention is categorized as a radical resection, indicating that the procedure aims to remove not only the tumor itself but also a significant margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure that all cancerous cells are eliminated. The approach taken by the physician is intraoral, meaning that the surgery is performed through the mouth, allowing direct access to the tumor without external incisions on the face or neck. During the excision, the physician meticulously removes the tumor along with the margins of healthy tissue, ensuring that the area surrounding the tumor is free from any disease. Depending on the extent of the tumor and its location, the procedure may involve the removal of all or part of the mandible. In some cases, the removal of teeth may also be necessary to achieve complete excision. Following the tumor removal, reconstruction of the mandible may be required, which can involve the use of myocutaneous flaps, bone grafts, prosthetic devices, and rearrangement of tissue to restore function and aesthetics. The surgical site is then closed using layered sutures to promote proper healing and minimize scarring.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for patients diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the mandible. Specific indications for performing a radical resection include:

  • Malignant Tumor Presence The presence of a malignant tumor in the mandible that requires surgical intervention to prevent further spread of cancer.
  • Invasive Characteristics Tumors that exhibit invasive characteristics, necessitating the removal of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure complete excision.
  • Local Symptoms Symptoms such as pain, swelling, or functional impairment in the jaw that may be associated with the tumor.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excising a malignant tumor of the mandible through radical resection involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Anesthesia Administration The patient is first placed under appropriate anesthesia to ensure comfort and pain management during the procedure. This may involve general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on the extent of the surgery and the patient's condition.
  • Step 2: Intraoral Access The surgeon gains access to the tumor through an intraoral approach, which minimizes external scarring and allows for direct visualization of the surgical site. This approach is crucial for effectively excising the tumor while preserving as much surrounding healthy tissue as possible.
  • Step 3: Tumor Excision The malignant tumor is carefully excised along with a margin of healthy tissue. The surgeon ensures that the excision is thorough, removing all cancerous cells and any affected surrounding structures. This step is critical to achieving clear margins and reducing the risk of recurrence.
  • Step 4: Mandible Resection Depending on the size and location of the tumor, the procedure may involve the removal of all or part of the mandible. The decision regarding the extent of resection is made based on the tumor's characteristics and the need for complete removal.
  • Step 5: Tooth Removal (if necessary) In some cases, the removal of teeth may be necessary to facilitate complete excision of the tumor. The surgeon evaluates the need for tooth extraction based on the tumor's proximity to the dental structures.
  • Step 6: Reconstruction After the tumor and any necessary structures have been removed, the surgeon may perform reconstruction of the mandible. This can involve the use of myocutaneous flaps, bone grafts, prosthetic devices, and tissue rearrangement to restore the function and appearance of the jaw.
  • Step 7: Closure Finally, the surgical site is closed using layered sutures. This technique helps to ensure proper healing and minimizes the risk of complications such as infection or scarring.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery following the radical resection of a malignant tumor of the mandible. Patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection. Pain management is provided as needed, and patients may be advised on dietary modifications to accommodate any changes in jaw function. Follow-up appointments are crucial to assess healing, monitor for any signs of recurrence, and manage any reconstructive needs. Patients may also require additional therapies, such as radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the tumor's characteristics and staging. Proper oral hygiene and care of the surgical site are emphasized to promote healing and prevent complications.

Short Descr EXTENSIVE JAW SURGERY
Medium Descr EXCISION MALIGNANT TUMOR MANDIBLE RADICAL
Long Descr Excision of malignant tumor of mandible; radical resection
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
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) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
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.
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).
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.
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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).
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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)
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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