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The procedure described by CPT® Code 21510 involves a surgical incision that penetrates deeply into the bone cortex of a bone located in the thoracic region of the body. This intervention is primarily indicated for the treatment of conditions such as osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone, or a bone abscess, which is a localized collection of pus within the bone. During the procedure, the surgeon first dissects the skin and underlying tissues to access the bone. Once the bone is exposed, any external abscess present is carefully excised to eliminate the source of infection. The surgeon then drills holes into the bone to facilitate drainage and ensure thorough cleaning of the infected area. The site is irrigated with an antibiotic solution to help combat infection. Following the removal of any necrotic or damaged tissue, the surgical site may be closed with sutures, or it may be packed and left open to allow for continued drainage. If the latter approach is taken, it is essential to change the gauze daily, and a subsequent surgical procedure may be required to close the site once the infection has been adequately managed.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 21510 is indicated for specific medical conditions that necessitate surgical intervention to address bone infections or abscesses. The following are the primary indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of the underlying condition. Each step is essential for achieving the desired outcome and involves careful surgical techniques.
Post-procedure care is critical for ensuring proper recovery and minimizing the risk of complications. If the surgical site is closed with sutures, the patient will need to follow specific wound care instructions to promote healing. In cases where the site is left open, daily gauze changes are essential to maintain cleanliness and facilitate drainage. The patient should be monitored for signs of infection, and follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and determine if a second surgery is required to close the site. Pain management and adherence to any prescribed antibiotic regimen are also important components of post-procedure care to support recovery.
| Short Descr | INC DEEP OPNG B1 CRTX THORAX | Medium Descr | INCISION DEEP OPENING BONE CORTEX THORAX | Long Descr | Incision, deep, with opening of bone cortex (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), thorax | 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 | Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS | 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 |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 20700 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), deep (eg, subfascial) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 20702 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), intramedullary (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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. | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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