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The procedure described by CPT® Code 26236 involves a partial excision of bone, specifically targeting the distal phalanx of the finger to address osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone. This surgical intervention may also be referred to as craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy. Craterization and saucerization are techniques that focus on removing infected and necrotic bone tissue to create a shallow depression, or crater, in the bone surface. This depression facilitates drainage from the infected area, promoting healing and reducing the risk of further complications. Diaphysectomy, on the other hand, entails the removal of the infected segment of the shaft of a long bone. The procedure begins with an incision through the skin and soft tissue over the osteomyelitis site, allowing access to the affected area. The surgeon meticulously resects any soft tissue sinus tracts and devitalized tissue, exposing the necrotic and infected bone. The extent of bone removal is determined by the severity of the infection, and the procedure may involve creating drill holes in the bone and excavating the tissue between these holes to form an oval window. The ultimate goal of this procedure is to eliminate all devitalized and infected tissue, which is crucial for effective treatment and recovery.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 26236 is indicated for the treatment of osteomyelitis affecting the distal phalanx of the finger. Osteomyelitis is characterized by the infection of the bone, which can lead to necrosis and other complications if not addressed promptly. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:
The procedure for CPT® Code 26236 involves several critical steps to ensure the effective removal of infected bone tissue. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the procedure, appropriate post-operative care is essential for recovery. The patient may be monitored for signs of infection or complications at the surgical site. Pain management strategies will be implemented to ensure patient comfort. The surgical site should be kept clean and dry, and any dressings should be changed as directed by the healthcare provider. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and to remove any drains if placed. The patient may also require additional treatments, such as antibiotics, to prevent infection and promote healing of the affected area.
| Short Descr | PARTIAL REMOVAL FINGER BONE | Medium Descr | PARTIAL EXCISION DISTAL PHALANX FINGER | Long Descr | Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis); 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) | P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 142 - Partial excision bone |
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) |
| F2 | Left hand, third digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | F6 | Right hand, second digit | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F5 | Right 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). | F9 | Right hand, fifth digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 47 | Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures. | 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. | 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). | 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). | AG | Primary physician | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | F3 | Left hand, fourth digit | F4 | Left hand, fifth digit | F8 | Right hand, fourth digit | FP | Service provided as part of family planning program | 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 | T2 | Left foot, third digit | T4 | Left foot, fifth digit | T5 | Right foot, great toe | T6 | Right foot, second digit | T8 | Right foot, fourth digit | TA | Left foot, great toe | TU | Special payment rate, overtime | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | 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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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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