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The procedure described by CPT® Code 24160 involves the surgical removal of a prosthesis from the elbow joint, specifically targeting both the humeral and ulnar components of a previously implanted joint device. This operation is typically indicated when there is a need to address complications such as infection, mechanical failure, or other issues related to the implant. The procedure begins with a skin incision made over the elbow joint, either on the medial or lateral side of the olecranon process, which is the bony prominence of the elbow. During the surgery, careful dissection of the soft tissues is performed to expose the ulnar nerve, which is identified and protected to prevent nerve damage. The surgical team then proceeds to expose the humeral component of the implant by incising the interval between the anconeus muscle and the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, allowing for mobilization of the triceps muscle. The anconeus muscle is elevated to access the lateral aspect of the ulnar component. Following this, the radial aspect of the elbow joint is also exposed, and the implant is meticulously removed by freeing each component from the surrounding humeral and ulnar bones. Additionally, any bone cement used during the initial implantation is also removed, and the bony surfaces are smoothed to prepare for potential re-implantation of a new prosthesis in a separately reportable procedure. In cases where infection is present, a drain may be placed, and the surgical wound is closed around the drain to facilitate drainage and healing.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 24160 is indicated for the removal of a prosthesis from the elbow joint, specifically when complications arise from the previously implanted joint device. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 24160 involves several detailed steps to ensure the safe and effective removal of the elbow joint prosthesis:
After the completion of the procedure, post-operative care is essential for recovery. Patients may be monitored for signs of infection or complications related to the surgery. If a drain has been placed, it will need to be managed appropriately to ensure proper drainage. Pain management will be addressed, and rehabilitation may be initiated to restore function to the elbow joint. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and determine if further interventions, such as re-implantation of a new prosthesis, are required.
| Short Descr | RMVL PROSTHHUMRL&ULNAR CMPNT | Medium Descr | PROSTHESIS REMOVAL HUMERAL AND ULNAR COMPONENTS | Long Descr | Removal of prosthesis, includes debridement and synovectomy when performed; humeral and ulnar components | 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) | 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 | T-Packaged Codes | 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 | 148 - Other fracture and dislocation procedure |
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) | 20704 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), intra-articular (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 20705 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), intra-articular (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). | 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). | 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 | 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) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2023-01-01 | Note | Short description changed. |
| 2014-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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