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Official Description

Osteotomy, mandible, segmental;

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 21198 refers to a segmental osteotomy of the mandible, which is a surgical intervention aimed at correcting a specific localized deformity of the lower jawbone, known as the mandible. In this procedure, the physician makes an incision directly over the area where the deformity is present. This incision allows the physician to carefully reflect the surrounding soft tissue, thereby exposing the underlying bone segment that requires correction. The surgical tools utilized in this process include saws, drills, and osteotomes, which are specialized instruments designed for cutting and shaping bone. The physician removes the deformed segment of bone to restore proper alignment and function of the mandible. After the removal of the bone segment, the mandible is stabilized using various fixation methods, which may include wires, screws, metal plates, or an acrylic splint to ensure that the bone heals in the correct position. Finally, all incisions made during the procedure are meticulously closed to promote healing and minimize scarring.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The segmental osteotomy of the mandible, as described by CPT® Code 21198, is indicated for the correction of localized deformities of the mandible. These deformities may arise from various conditions, including congenital anomalies, trauma, or developmental issues that affect the structure and function of the jaw. The procedure aims to improve both aesthetic appearance and functional capabilities, such as biting and chewing.

  • Localized Deformity of the Mandible The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a specific deformity in the mandible that requires surgical intervention to restore normal anatomy and function.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a segmental osteotomy of the mandible involves several critical steps that ensure the successful correction of the deformity.

  • Step 1: Incision The surgeon begins by making a precise incision over the area of the mandible that exhibits the deformity. This incision is carefully planned to provide optimal access to the bone while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
  • Step 2: Tissue Reflection Following the incision, the surgeon reflects the soft tissue away from the bone. This step is crucial as it allows for clear visibility and access to the affected bone segment that needs to be isolated and removed.
  • Step 3: Bone Segment Removal Using specialized surgical instruments such as saws, drills, and osteotomes, the surgeon carefully removes the segment of deformed bone. This step requires precision to ensure that only the affected area is excised while preserving the integrity of the surrounding bone structure.
  • Step 4: Stabilization After the removal of the bone segment, the surgeon stabilizes the mandible using various fixation methods. These may include the application of wires, screws, metal plates, or an acrylic splint, which are essential for maintaining the correct position of the mandible during the healing process.
  • Step 5: Closure Finally, the surgeon meticulously closes all incisions made during the procedure. This closure is performed in layers to promote optimal healing and minimize scarring.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a segmental osteotomy of the mandible is essential for ensuring proper recovery and healing. Patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or improper healing. Pain management is also an important aspect of post-operative care, and patients may be prescribed analgesics to manage discomfort. Additionally, patients are advised on dietary modifications to accommodate their healing jaw, often requiring a soft food diet for a specified period. Follow-up appointments are crucial to assess the healing process and to remove any fixation devices if applicable. The overall recovery time may vary depending on the individual case and the extent of the surgery performed.

Short Descr RECONSTR LWR JAW SEGMENT
Medium Descr OSTEOTOMY MANDIBLE SEGMENTAL
Long Descr Osteotomy, mandible, segmental;
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later without MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 161 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on bone
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.
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)
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.
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
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).
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.)
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2001-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
1991-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1991.
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