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Official Description

Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), olecranon process

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A sequestrectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at removing a sequestrum, which is a segment of necrotic (dead) bone that has detached from the surrounding healthy bone. This procedure is specifically indicated for conditions such as osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone, or a bone abscess, which is a localized collection of pus within the bone. The olecranon process, which is the bony prominence of the elbow, is one of the anatomical sites where this procedure can be performed. During the operation, an incision is made through the skin and soft tissue to access the affected area. If the periosteum, the membrane covering the bone, is found to be healthy, it is carefully lifted away from the sequestrum to allow for its removal. After excising the necrotic bone, the elevated periosteum is repositioned over the resulting defect in the cortical bone. In cases where the periosteum is not viable and an involucrum, a layer of new bone, has developed around the sequestrum, the necrotic bone is removed while preserving the involucrum, which will aid in the healing process. Finally, the incisions are closed, and a dressing is applied to protect the surgical site during recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The sequestrectomy procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Osteomyelitis - A serious infection of the bone that can lead to the death of bone tissue.
  • Bone Abscess - A localized infection within the bone that results in the formation of pus.
  • Necrotic Bone - The presence of sequestrum, which is dead bone that has separated from healthy bone tissue.

2. Procedure

The sequestrectomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure the effective removal of the necrotic bone.

  • Step 1: Incision An incision is made in the skin over the site of the osteomyelitis or bone abscess. This incision is carefully extended through the soft tissue to reach the affected area, allowing for direct access to the bone.
  • Step 2: Elevation of Periosteum Once the incision is made, the surgeon assesses the viability of the periosteum. If the periosteum is found to be soft and healthy, it is gently elevated away from the sequestrum, creating a space for the necrotic bone to be excised.
  • Step 3: Excision of Necrotic Bone The necrotic sequestrum is then carefully excised from the surrounding healthy bone. This step is crucial to eliminate the source of infection and promote healing.
  • Step 4: Closure of Periosteum After the sequestrum is removed, the previously elevated ribbon of periosteum is approximated over the defect left in the cortical bone. This helps to facilitate healing and regeneration of the bone.
  • Step 5: Management of Non-Viable Periosteum In cases where the periosteum is not viable and an involucrum has formed around the sequestrum, the necrotic bone is removed while leaving the involucrum intact. This structure will assist in the formation of new bone in the cortical defect.
  • Step 6: Closure of Incisions Finally, the incisions in the soft tissue and skin are closed using appropriate suturing techniques, and a dressing is applied to protect the surgical site during the recovery process.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring proper healing. Patients may be advised to keep the area clean and dry, and follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess the recovery process. Pain management may be provided as needed, and physical therapy could be recommended to restore function to the affected limb. The overall recovery time will depend on the extent of the procedure and the patient's individual healing response.

Short Descr SEQUESTRECTOMY OLECRN PROCES
Medium Descr SEQUESTRECTOMY OLECRANON PROCESS
Long Descr Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), olecranon process
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) 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 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) 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)
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.)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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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2023-01-01 Note Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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