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Decompression fasciotomy is a surgical procedure aimed at alleviating the pressure within muscle compartments, specifically in the forearm and/or wrist, to treat a condition known as compartment syndrome. This syndrome occurs when swelling within a muscle compartment leads to increased pressure, which can compress blood vessels and nerves, potentially resulting in irreversible damage to the muscles and nerves if not addressed promptly. The muscle compartments in the forearm are divided into two main areas: the flexor compartment, which is located on the volar (anterior) side, and the extensor compartment, located on the dorsal (posterior) side. The procedure involves making incisions in the skin and fascia to relieve the pressure and restore blood flow to the affected muscles. During the fasciotomy, the surgeon inspects the muscle tissue and nerves, removing any nonviable tissue through a process known as debridement. This procedure is critical in preventing long-term complications associated with compartment syndrome, such as muscle necrosis and permanent functional impairment. The choice of incision and the specific compartment addressed depend on the clinical presentation and the compartment affected.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Decompression fasciotomy is indicated for the treatment of compartment syndrome, which may arise from various conditions leading to increased pressure within the muscle compartments of the forearm and wrist. The following are specific indications for this procedure:
The procedure for decompression fasciotomy involves several critical steps to ensure effective relief of pressure within the affected compartment. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the decompression fasciotomy, the patient will require careful monitoring and management. The incisions are left open to allow for swelling to decrease, and they are covered with a sterile dressing to protect the area. The patient is typically observed for signs of infection, bleeding, or complications related to the procedure. Once the swelling has subsided, which usually occurs within 24 to 72 hours, the patient will be returned to the operating room for closure of the incisions. Rehabilitation and physical therapy may be necessary to restore function and strength in the affected limb following the procedure.
| Short Descr | DECOMPRESS FOREARM 1 SPACE | Medium Descr | DCMPRN FASCT F/ARM&/WRST FLXR/XTNSR W/DBRDMT | Long Descr | Decompression fasciotomy, forearm and/or wrist, flexor OR extensor compartment; with debridement of nonviable muscle and/or nerve | 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) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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 | 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons |
| 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. | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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. | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 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). | 54 | Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number. | 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. | 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). | 81 | Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number. | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | F9 | Right hand, fifth digit | 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) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |