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An osteotomy of the spine is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a portion of a vertebra to correct spinal deformities, such as a flexion deformity. This procedure is performed through an anterior approach, which may involve incisions in the neck, thoracic region, thoracoabdominal area, abdomen, retropleural space, or retroperitoneal space, depending on the specific location of the deformity. The goal of the osteotomy is to realign the affected vertebral segment, thereby improving the overall function and stability of the spine while alleviating associated pain. During the procedure, soft tissues are carefully dissected to expose the vertebrae, and subperiosteal dissection is performed along the vertebral segment as necessary. Accessing the intervertebral disc may require the removal of a portion of the lamina. A curette is then utilized to excise the intervertebral disc or any disc fragments. A wedge of bone is resected from the vertebral body, which may also involve the excision of surrounding ligaments and spinous processes. The surgeon applies manual pressure at the osteotomy site to facilitate realignment, ensuring that nerve roots and other critical structures are protected throughout the process. Once the bony gap created by the wedge resection is closed, additional stabilization may be achieved through the use of bone grafts and/or spinal instrumentation. Post-operatively, a body cast or jacket may be applied to immobilize the spine as needed. This code, CPT® 22226, is specifically used to report each additional vertebral segment involved in the osteotomy procedure, following the primary procedure code for the first segment.
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The osteotomy of the spine is indicated for various conditions that necessitate the correction of spinal deformities. These may include:
The procedure for spinal osteotomy involves several critical steps to ensure successful correction of the deformity. These steps include:
After the spinal osteotomy, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve pain management and physical therapy. The application of a body cast or jacket is often necessary to immobilize the spine and promote healing. Regular follow-up appointments will be required to monitor the healing process and ensure that the spine is stabilizing correctly. Patients should be advised on activity restrictions and any signs of complications that may require immediate medical attention.
| Short Descr | OSTEOT DSC ANT 1VRT SGM EA | Medium Descr | OSTEOTOMY SPINE W/DSC ANT APPR 1 VRT SGM EA ADDL | Long Descr | Osteotomy of spine, including discectomy, anterior approach, single vertebral segment; each additional vertebral segment (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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 | 4 | CCS Clinical Classification | 142 - Partial excision bone |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 22220 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Osteotomy of spine, including discectomy, anterior approach, single vertebral segment; cervical | 22222 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Osteotomy of spine, including discectomy, anterior approach, single vertebral segment; thoracic | 22224 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Osteotomy of spine, including discectomy, anterior approach, single vertebral segment; lumbar |
| 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. | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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). | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.) | 81 | Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number. | 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) | 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 |
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| 2022-01-01 | Note | Short and Medium description changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Note | Short description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1996-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1996. |
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