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Official Description

Partial excision, wing of ilium, symphysis pubis, or greater trochanter of femur, (craterization, saucerization) (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess); superficial

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 27070 refers to a surgical procedure known as partial excision of bone, specifically targeting areas such as the wing of the ilium, symphysis pubis, or greater trochanter of the femur. This procedure is commonly performed to address conditions like osteomyelitis or bone abscesses, which involve infection and necrosis of the bone. The terms craterization and saucerization describe the technique used during the procedure, where the surgeon removes infected and dead bone tissue to create a shallow depression, facilitating drainage from the infected area. The process begins with an incision through the skin and soft tissue to access the affected bone. The surgeon carefully resects any soft tissue sinus tracts and devitalized tissue before exposing the necrotic bone. A series of drill holes are created in the infected bone, and the bone between these holes is excavated using an osteotome to form an oval window. The extent of bone removal is determined by the severity of the infection. Additionally, a curette may be employed to clean out any remaining devitalized tissue from the medullary canal. The procedure continues until healthy bone is reached, indicated by the presence of punctate bleeding on the exposed surface. After thorough irrigation of the wound with sterile saline or an antibiotic solution, the surgical site is loosely closed, and a drain is placed to prevent fluid accumulation. It is important to note that CPT® Code 27070 is specifically designated for partial excision of superficial osteomyelitis or bone abscess, while CPT® Code 27071 is used for deeper infections involving subfascial or submuscular bone in the pelvis and hip joint.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27070 is indicated for the treatment of specific conditions affecting the bone, particularly in the pelvic and hip regions. The following are the primary indications for performing this procedure:

  • Osteomyelitis - A severe bone infection that can lead to the destruction of bone tissue, necessitating surgical intervention to remove the infected areas.
  • Bone Abscess - A localized collection of pus within the bone, often resulting from infection, which requires drainage and removal of necrotic bone to promote healing.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 27070 involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of the affected bone. Each step is detailed as follows:

  • Step 1: Incision and Access - The surgeon begins by making an incision in the skin over the site of the osteomyelitis or bone abscess. This incision is carefully extended through the soft tissue layers to reach the underlying bone.
  • Step 2: Resection of Soft Tissue - Once the bone is accessible, any soft tissue sinus tracts and devitalized soft tissue are resected to clear the area of infection and prepare for bone exposure.
  • Step 3: Exposure of Necrotic Bone - The surgeon then exposes the area of necrotic and infected bone, ensuring that all affected tissue is visible for treatment.
  • Step 4: Drilling and Excavation - A series of drill holes are made in the infected bone. The bone between these holes is excavated using an osteotome to create an oval window, allowing for the removal of the necrotic bone.
  • Step 5: Removal of Devitalized Tissue - A curette may be utilized to remove any remaining devitalized tissue from the medullary canal, ensuring that all infected material is eliminated.
  • Step 6: Irrigation - After all necrotic and infected tissue has been removed, the wound is copiously irrigated with sterile saline or an antibiotic solution to cleanse the area and reduce the risk of further infection.
  • Step 7: Closure and Drain Placement - Finally, the surgical wound is loosely closed, and a drain is placed to facilitate the drainage of any residual fluid, promoting proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the partial excision of bone involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring proper drainage through the placed drain. Patients may require pain management and should be advised on activity restrictions to promote healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the recovery process and to determine if further interventions are necessary. The surgical site should be kept clean and dry, and any changes in the condition of the wound should be reported to the healthcare provider promptly.

Short Descr PART REMOVE HIP BONE SUPER
Medium Descr PARTIAL EXCISION SUPERFICIAL PELVIS
Long Descr Partial excision, wing of ilium, symphysis pubis, or greater trochanter of femur, (craterization, saucerization) (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess); superficial
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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
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.

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)
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).
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.
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.
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
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)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
2011-01-01 Changed Long description revised. Medium description changed. Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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