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Official Description

Resection, humeral head

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 23195 refers to the surgical resection of the humeral head, which is a critical component of the shoulder joint. In this operation, a skin incision is made over the shoulder joint to access the underlying structures. The term 'resection' indicates the surgical removal of a portion of the bone—in this case, the humeral head, which is the rounded top part of the humerus (the upper arm bone) that fits into the shoulder socket. This procedure is typically performed to address various shoulder conditions, such as severe arthritis, fractures, or tumors affecting the humeral head. The surgical approach involves careful dissection through the soft tissues surrounding the shoulder, allowing the surgeon to expose and open the joint capsule. Once the humeral head is dislocated from the shoulder joint, it is thoroughly inspected before being removed. After the resection, the remaining bone edges are smoothed to ensure proper alignment and function. The final steps involve repositioning the remaining bone in the shoulder socket and securing the soft tissue structures to maintain stability within the joint. The procedure concludes with the closure of the joint capsule and the overlying soft tissues and skin in layers, ensuring proper healing and recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of humeral head resection (CPT® Code 23195) is indicated for several specific conditions affecting the shoulder joint. These indications may include:

  • Severe Arthritis - This condition involves inflammation of the shoulder joint, leading to pain and reduced mobility, which may necessitate surgical intervention.
  • Fractures - Complex fractures of the humeral head that cannot be adequately repaired through less invasive means may require resection to restore function and alleviate pain.
  • Bone Tumors - The presence of tumors in the humeral head may require resection to remove cancerous or benign growths that compromise the integrity of the bone and surrounding structures.

2. Procedure

The procedure for humeral head resection involves several critical steps, each essential for the successful outcome of the surgery. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Skin Incision - A skin incision is made over the shoulder joint to provide access to the underlying structures. This incision is carefully planned to minimize damage to surrounding tissues.
  • Step 2: Dissection - The surgeon dissects through the soft tissues, including muscles and ligaments, to reach the joint capsule. This step requires precision to avoid injury to the surrounding anatomical structures.
  • Step 3: Joint Capsule Exposure - Once the soft tissues are dissected, the joint capsule is exposed and opened. This allows the surgeon to access the humeral head directly.
  • Step 4: Humeral Head Dislocation - The humeral head is dislocated from the shoulder joint, allowing for a thorough inspection of the joint and the surrounding tissues. This step is crucial for assessing the extent of damage or disease.
  • Step 5: Humeral Head Removal - The humeral head is then removed from the shoulder joint. This step is performed with care to ensure that surrounding structures are preserved as much as possible.
  • Step 6: Smoothing Bone Edges - After the humeral head is resected, the remaining bone edges are smoothed to promote proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.
  • Step 7: Bone Positioning - The remaining bone is positioned back into the shoulder socket, ensuring that it is aligned correctly for optimal function.
  • Step 8: Securing Soft Tissue Structures - Soft tissue structures are secured to the bone to maintain the humerus in the joint socket, providing stability to the shoulder joint.
  • Step 9: Closure - The joint capsule is closed, followed by the closure of the overlying soft tissue and skin in layers. This layered closure is important for proper healing and minimizing scarring.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a humeral head resection is critical for recovery. Patients can expect a period of rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility in the shoulder. Pain management strategies will be implemented to ensure comfort during the recovery phase. Physical therapy may be recommended to facilitate healing and improve range of motion. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor the healing process and address any complications that may arise. It is essential for patients to adhere to their surgeon's post-operative instructions to optimize recovery outcomes.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF HEAD OF HUMERUS
Medium Descr RESECTION HUMERAL HEAD
Long Descr Resection, humeral head
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) 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 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) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
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).
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.
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).
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).
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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)
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