© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 26200 refers to the excision or curettage of a bone cyst or benign tumor located in the metacarpal bones, which are the long bones in the hand that connect the wrist to the fingers. A bone cyst is defined as a fluid-filled space within the bone, which can vary in type and presentation. One of the most common forms is the unicameral or simple bone cyst, characterized as a benign lesion that typically does not cause significant symptoms. Another type, the aneurysmal bone cyst, is less common and is composed of vascular tissue surrounding a blood-filled cystic lesion, which may lead to more pronounced symptoms or complications. In addition to cysts, there are various benign bone tumors that may necessitate excision or curettage, including giant cell tumors, chondromyxoid fibromas, and enchondromas. The procedure described by CPT® Code 26200 involves making an incision over the lesion site on the metacarpal bone, followed by dissection of the soft tissues to expose the lesion. If a cystic lesion is identified, the procedure includes incising the bone to create a window, allowing for the aspiration of fluid, which is then sent for laboratory analysis. The curettage process involves using a curette to remove the lining of the cystic cavity completely. In cases where benign tumors are present, the physician will excise the tumor along with a margin of healthy bone to ensure complete removal. This procedure is essential for alleviating symptoms, preventing complications, and ensuring proper healing of the affected area.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 26200 is indicated for the treatment of specific conditions affecting the metacarpal bones. These include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 26200 involves several critical steps to ensure the effective excision or curettage of the bone cyst or benign tumor:
After the completion of the procedure, post-operative care is essential for optimal recovery. Patients may be monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Pain management strategies will be implemented to ensure patient comfort. The recovery period may vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient's health status. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and to determine if any further interventions are required. Additionally, patients may be advised on activity restrictions to promote proper healing of the metacarpal bone.
| Short Descr | REMOVE HAND BONE LESION | Medium Descr | EXCISION/CURETTAGE CYST/TUMOR METACARPAL | Long Descr | Excision or curettage of bone cyst or benign tumor of metacarpal; | 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) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | 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 | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 142 - Partial excision bone |
| 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). | 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. | 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 | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F2 | Left hand, third digit | F3 | Left hand, fourth digit | F4 | Left hand, fifth digit | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F6 | Right hand, second digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | F8 | Right hand, fourth digit | F9 | Right hand, fifth digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | 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) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | 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
|
|---|---|---|
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.