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Official Description

Radical resection of tumor; scapula

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Radical resection of a tumor in the scapula, as described by CPT® Code 23210, is a surgical procedure primarily aimed at removing malignant neoplasms, although it may also be indicated for benign tumors or tumors of indeterminate nature. The procedure begins with the creation of a skin incision directly over the tumor site on the scapula, or alternatively, a skin flap may be elevated to provide access. During the operation, the surgeon meticulously dissects the overlying tissue to expose the tumor. The radical resection involves the complete removal of all bone and cartilage in the scapula that is affected by the tumor, ensuring that the tumor is excised en bloc, which means it is removed in one piece along with a wide margin of healthy surrounding tissue. This approach is critical to minimize the risk of residual tumor cells remaining in the body. The procedure also necessitates the excision of all involved soft tissue, which can include muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and any tissues surrounding the joints that may be affected by the tumor. To confirm that the surgical margins are free of tumor cells, a separately reportable frozen section may be performed during the procedure. If any margins are found to contain malignancy, additional tissue will be excised until clear margins are achieved. Post-surgery, drains may be placed as necessary to manage fluid accumulation, and the surgical wound can be closed in layers, or additional reconstructive procedures may be performed if required.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Radical resection of a tumor in the scapula is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Malignant Neoplasm The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a malignant tumor in the scapula, which necessitates complete removal to prevent further spread of cancer.
  • Benign Tumors In some cases, benign tumors that may pose a risk of complications or have the potential for malignant transformation may also require radical resection.
  • Indeterminate Tumors Tumors of indeterminate nature, where the potential for malignancy is uncertain, may be indicated for radical resection to ensure comprehensive treatment and evaluation.

2. Procedure

The procedure for radical resection of a tumor in the scapula involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision A skin incision is made directly over the tumor located on the scapula. Alternatively, a skin flap may be created and elevated to provide adequate access to the tumor site.
  • Step 2: Dissection The surgeon carefully dissects the overlying tissue to expose the tumor, ensuring that surrounding structures are preserved as much as possible while gaining access to the tumor.
  • Step 3: Tumor Resection All bone and cartilage in the scapula that is involved with the tumor is resected. The tumor is removed en bloc, which includes a wide margin of healthy surrounding tissue to ensure complete excision.
  • Step 4: Soft Tissue Excision The procedure includes the excision of all involved soft tissue, which may encompass muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and any tissues surrounding the joints that are affected by the tumor.
  • Step 5: Frozen Section A separately reportable frozen section may be performed during the procedure to assess the surgical margins for the presence of tumor cells. If malignancy is detected at the margins, additional tissue is removed until all margins are confirmed to be free of tumor cells.
  • Step 6: Drain Placement Drains may be placed as needed to manage any fluid accumulation post-surgery, facilitating proper healing and reducing the risk of complications.
  • Step 7: Wound Closure The surgical wound may be closed in layers, or if necessary, separately reportable reconstructive procedures may be performed to restore the area.

3. Post-Procedure

After the radical resection of the tumor in the scapula, patients may require specific post-procedure care to ensure proper recovery. This includes monitoring for any signs of infection or complications related to the surgical site. The placement of drains, if utilized, will need to be managed to prevent fluid accumulation. Patients may experience pain and discomfort, which can be addressed with appropriate pain management strategies. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and to review the results of the frozen section analysis. If additional reconstructive procedures were performed, further follow-up may be required to evaluate the outcomes of those interventions. Overall, the recovery process will vary based on the extent of the surgery and the individual patient's health status.

Short Descr RESECT SCAPULA TUMOR
Medium Descr RADICAL RESECTION TUMOR SCAPULA
Long Descr Radical resection of tumor; scapula
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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

20932 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Allograft, includes templating, cutting, placement and internal fixation, when performed; osteoarticular, including articular surface and contiguous bone (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
20933 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Allograft, includes templating, cutting, placement and internal fixation, when performed; hemicortical intercalary, partial (ie, hemicylindrical) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
20934 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Allograft, includes templating, cutting, placement and internal fixation, when performed; intercalary, complete (ie, cylindrical) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
Date
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Notes
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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