© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 24140 involves a partial excision of bone, specifically targeting the humerus, to address osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone. This surgical intervention may also be referred to by various terms such as craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy. Craterization and saucerization are techniques that focus on removing infected and necrotic bone tissue to create a shallow depression on the bone surface, facilitating drainage from the infected area. On the other hand, diaphysectomy specifically refers to the removal of the infected segment of the shaft of a long bone. The procedure begins with an incision through the skin and soft tissue over the osteomyelitis site, allowing access to the affected area. The surgeon will then resect any soft tissue sinus tracts and devitalized soft tissue to expose the necrotic and infected bone. The extent of bone removal is determined by the severity of the infection, and the procedure aims to eliminate all infected tissue to promote healing and recovery.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 24140 is indicated for the treatment of osteomyelitis of the humerus. Osteomyelitis is a serious condition characterized by infection in the bone, which can lead to significant complications if not addressed promptly. The procedure may also be relevant for similar conditions affecting adjacent structures, such as the radial head or neck and the olecranon process, as indicated by related codes 24145 and 24147.
The procedure begins with the surgeon making an incision in the skin over the site of the osteomyelitis. This incision is carefully extended through the soft tissue layers to reach the infected area. Once the site is accessed, any soft tissue sinus tracts and devitalized soft tissue are resected to ensure a clear view of the underlying bone. The next step involves exposing the area of necrotic and infected bone, which is critical for effective treatment.
After the procedure, patients are typically monitored for signs of infection and complications. The surgical site may require regular dressing changes, and the drain, if placed, will need to be managed to ensure proper drainage. Patients may also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent postoperative infections. Recovery time can vary based on the extent of the surgery and the patient's overall health, but follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and determine if further interventions are required.
| Short Descr | PARTIAL EXC BONE HUMERUS | Medium Descr | PARTIAL EXCISION BONE HUMERUS | Long Descr | Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis), humerus | 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 | 142 - Partial excision 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. | 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. | 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 | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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) | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-01 | Note | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.