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Official Description

Excision, tumor, soft tissue of shoulder area, subfascial (eg, intramuscular); less than 5 cm

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 23076 involves the excision of a tumor located in the soft tissue of the shoulder area, specifically targeting subfascial tumors, which are situated beneath the fascia, such as within muscle tissue. Soft tissues encompass a variety of structures, including subcutaneous fat, connective tissue, fascia, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the tissues surrounding joints. Tumors found in these soft tissues can be either benign or malignant. Typically, benign tumors are removed through excision, while small malignant or indeterminate tumors may also be excised if they have well-defined margins. The surgical approach may vary based on the tumor's location; for instance, the skin over the tumor may be incised directly, or a skin flap may be created and elevated to access the tumor. During the procedure, the overlying tissue is carefully dissected to expose the soft tissue mass, which is then excised along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. In some cases, a frozen section may be performed to verify that all margins are free of tumor cells, which is crucial for ensuring that the tumor has been completely excised. After the tumor removal, drains may be placed as necessary, and the surgical wound is typically closed in layers to promote proper healing. For coding purposes, it is important to note that different codes apply based on the size and location of the tumor; for example, CPT® Code 23075 is used for tumors in the subcutaneous fat or connective tissue that are less than 3 cm, while CPT® Code 23071 is for those 3 cm or greater. For subfascial tumors, CPT® Code 23076 is applicable for masses less than 5 cm, and CPT® Code 23073 is designated for masses that are 5 cm or greater.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The excision of soft tissue tumors in the shoulder area, as described by CPT® Code 23076, is indicated for various conditions, including:

  • Benign Tumors These tumors are typically non-cancerous and may require excision to alleviate symptoms or prevent complications.
  • Malignant Tumors Small malignant tumors or those with indeterminate characteristics may be excised if they have well-defined margins, to ensure complete removal and prevent further spread.
  • Soft Tissue Masses Any soft tissue mass located in the shoulder area that requires surgical intervention for diagnosis or treatment may be an indication for this procedure.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excising a subfascial soft tissue tumor in the shoulder area involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the surgical site is prepared and draped in a sterile manner to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: Incision An incision is made over the tumor site. Depending on the tumor's location, this may involve directly incising the skin or creating and elevating a skin flap to provide better access to the underlying tissue.
  • Step 3: Dissection The overlying tissue is carefully dissected to expose the soft tissue mass. This step requires precision to avoid damaging surrounding structures such as nerves and blood vessels.
  • Step 4: Tumor Excision The tumor is excised along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. This margin is critical for reducing the risk of recurrence.
  • Step 5: Frozen Section Analysis If necessary, a frozen section may be performed during the procedure to confirm that the margins are free of tumor cells, ensuring that the excision is complete.
  • Step 6: Drain Placement After the tumor has been removed, drains may be placed as needed to prevent fluid accumulation in the surgical site.
  • Step 7: Wound Closure The surgical wound is closed in layers, which may involve suturing the deeper tissues first, followed by the skin closure, to promote optimal healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the excision of a subfascial soft tissue tumor includes monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper wound healing. Patients may be advised on activity restrictions to avoid strain on the surgical area. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess healing and to remove any sutures if non-absorbable materials were used. Additionally, the results of any frozen section analysis will be discussed with the patient to determine if further treatment is necessary based on the pathology findings.

Short Descr EXC SHOULDER TUM DEEP < 5 CM
Medium Descr EXC TUMOR SOFT TISS SHOULDER SUBFASC <5CM
Long Descr Excision, tumor, soft tissue of shoulder area, subfascial (eg, intramuscular); less than 5 cm
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory 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 Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 164 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on musculoskeletal system
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).
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
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)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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)
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
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
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2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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