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The CPT® Code 26210 refers to the excision or curettage of a bone cyst or benign tumor located in the proximal, middle, or distal phalanx of a finger. A bone cyst is defined as a fluid-filled space within the bone, which can vary in type. The most common type is the unicameral or simple bone cyst, recognized as a benign lesion. Another type, though less common, is the aneurysmal bone cyst, characterized by vascular tissue surrounding a blood-filled cystic lesion. Additionally, there are various benign bone tumors, including giant cell tumors, chondromyxoid fibromas, and enchondromas. The procedure involves making an incision over the lesion site in the phalanx of a finger, followed by dissection of the soft tissues to expose the lesion. If a cystic lesion is identified, the bone is incised to create a window, allowing access to the cyst for fluid aspiration, 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 procedure may involve excising the tumor along with a margin of healthy bone to ensure complete removal. This procedure is critical for addressing bone cysts and benign tumors in the fingers, facilitating proper treatment and recovery.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 26210 is indicated for the treatment of specific conditions affecting the phalanx of the finger. These include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 26210 involves several critical steps to ensure the effective excision or curettage of the bone cyst or benign tumor:
Post-procedure care following the excision or curettage of a bone cyst or benign tumor includes monitoring for any signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper wound healing. Patients may be advised to limit movement of the affected finger to promote recovery and prevent complications. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess healing and to determine if any further treatment is necessary.
| Short Descr | REMOVAL OF FINGER LESION | Medium Descr | EXCISION/CURETTAGE CYST/TUMOR PHALANX FINGER | Long Descr | Excision or curettage of bone cyst or benign tumor of proximal, middle, or distal phalanx of finger; | 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) | 1 - Statutory 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 |
| 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. | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | FA | Left hand, thumb | 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. | 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.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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 | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | T7 | Right foot, third digit | TA | Left foot, great toe | 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 |
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| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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