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Official Description

Closed treatment of mandibular fracture with interdental fixation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 21453 refers to the closed treatment of a mandibular fracture utilizing interdental fixation. This procedure is performed without the need for surgical incisions, making it a less invasive option for managing fractures of the lower jaw, or mandible. During this treatment, the physician employs wires and arch bars to stabilize the fractured segments of the jaw, ensuring proper alignment and healing. In cases where the patient is edentulous, meaning they do not have any natural teeth, the physician may first create dentures or acrylic splints. These devices are then affixed to the jaw to provide a stable base before the arch bars and wires are applied. This method of treatment is crucial for restoring function and aesthetics to the jaw while minimizing complications associated with more invasive surgical techniques.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of a mandibular fracture with interdental fixation is indicated for patients presenting with specific conditions related to the mandible. These indications include:

  • Mandibular Fracture The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a fracture in the mandible, which may result from trauma, accidents, or other injuries.
  • Edentulous Patients This procedure is also indicated for patients who do not have teeth, as they may require the creation of dentures or acrylic splints to facilitate stabilization during treatment.

2. Procedure

The procedure for closed treatment of a mandibular fracture with interdental fixation involves several key steps to ensure effective stabilization of the jaw. These steps include:

  • Initial Assessment The physician begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's mandibular fracture, including imaging studies to determine the extent and location of the fracture.
  • Preparation for Treatment If the patient is edentulous, the physician will first create dentures or acrylic splints that will be used to anchor the fixation devices. This preparation is crucial for ensuring stability during the healing process.
  • Application of Arch Bars The physician then places arch bars around the upper and lower jaws. These bars are secured in place using wires, which are threaded through the bars and tightened to achieve the necessary stabilization of the fractured mandible.
  • Interdental Fixation The wires are then used to interconnect the arch bars, providing additional support and fixation to the fractured segments of the mandible. This step is essential for maintaining proper alignment during the healing phase.
  • Final Adjustments After securing the fixation, the physician makes any necessary adjustments to ensure that the jaw is properly aligned and that the fixation is stable. This may involve checking the occlusion and making sure that the patient can close their mouth comfortably.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients who have undergone closed treatment of a mandibular fracture with interdental fixation includes monitoring for any complications, such as infection or misalignment. Patients are typically advised to follow a soft diet to minimize stress on the jaw during the healing process. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing of the fracture and to make any necessary adjustments to the fixation. The physician will provide specific instructions regarding oral hygiene and care of the fixation devices to ensure optimal recovery.

Short Descr CLTX MNDBLR FX NTRDNTL FIXJ
Medium Descr CLOSED TX MANDIBULAR FX W/INTERDENTAL FIXATION
Long Descr Closed treatment of mandibular fracture with interdental fixation
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) 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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
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) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 144 - Treatment, facial fracture or dislocation
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
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).
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.
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).
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)
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
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
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
Date
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2025-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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