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Radical resection of a tumor in the radius or ulna, as described by CPT® Code 25170, is a surgical procedure primarily indicated for the removal of malignant neoplasms. However, it may also be necessary for benign tumors or tumors of indeterminate nature. The procedure begins with the creation of a skin incision directly over the tumor site, or alternatively, a skin flap may be elevated to provide access. The surgeon meticulously dissects the overlying tissue to expose the tumor. During the resection, all bone and cartilage in the radius or ulna that is involved with the tumor is excised. This process involves removing the tumor en bloc, which means the tumor is taken out in one piece along with a wide margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. The radical resection encompasses not only the excision of the tumor but also all affected soft tissues, which may include muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and adjacent joint tissues. To confirm that the surgical margins are free of tumor cells, a separately reportable frozen section may be performed. If any margins are found to contain malignancy, additional tissue will be excised until all margins are clear. Post-surgery, drains may be placed as necessary, 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.
Radical resection of a tumor in the radius or ulna is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for radical resection of a tumor in the radius or ulna involves several critical steps:
After the radical resection procedure, patients can expect specific post-operative care and considerations. The surgical site will be monitored for signs of infection, and the placement of drains will help manage any fluid accumulation. Patients may experience pain and swelling, which can be managed with appropriate analgesics. The recovery process will vary depending on the extent of the resection and any additional reconstructive procedures performed. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and to review the results of the frozen section analysis. Rehabilitation may be required to restore function and strength in the affected limb, and patients will be advised on activity restrictions during the recovery period.
| Short Descr | RESECT RADIUS/ULNAR TUMOR | Medium Descr | RADICAL RESECTION TUMOR RADIUS OR ULNA | Long Descr | Radical resection of tumor, radius or ulna | 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 | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | 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. | 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. | 62 | Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate. | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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) |
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| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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