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Official Description

Disarticulation of hip

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Hip disarticulation is a surgical procedure that involves the complete amputation of the leg at the hip joint. This procedure is considered rare and is typically reserved for cases of severe trauma, such as crush injuries, or for serious infections like gas gangrene. Additionally, it may be indicated in situations where previous vascular procedures on the lower extremity have failed, or in the presence of malignant tumors, including Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma, which affect the proximal femur. The procedure begins with careful marking of incision lines on the skin over the hip and thigh, ensuring precision in the surgical approach. The incision is initiated at the anteromedial aspect of the hip joint and is extended laterally over the greater trochanter, continuing over the posterior aspect of the hip joint. During the surgery, a myocutaneous flap may be created from the surrounding tissue to aid in wound closure. The surgical team will expose the femoral vessels, which are then ligated and transected to prevent excessive bleeding. The anterior musculature is cut at the level of the greater trochanter, followed by the transection of the adductor muscles at their origins on the ischium and pubic rami. The posterior musculature is also transected at the ischium, and the sciatic nerve is cut to facilitate the amputation. The gluteal vessels are ligated and transected, leading to the disarticulation of the femoral head and the complete removal of the leg at the hip joint. After the amputation, drains are placed in the hip region to manage any potential fluid accumulation, and the previously created myocutaneous flap is utilized to cover the surgical wound, promoting healing and reducing the risk of infection.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of hip disarticulation is indicated in several critical medical situations, primarily involving severe conditions that necessitate the removal of the leg at the hip joint. The following are the explicitly provided indications for performing this procedure:

  • Severe Trauma - This includes cases such as crush injuries that may compromise the viability of the limb.
  • Infections - Conditions like gas gangrene, which can lead to life-threatening complications if not addressed promptly.
  • Failed Vascular Procedures - Instances where previous surgical interventions on the lower extremity have not succeeded in restoring adequate blood flow or function.
  • Malignant Neoplasms - Tumors such as Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma that involve the proximal femur and require amputation to prevent further spread or complications.

2. Procedure

The hip disarticulation procedure involves several critical steps that are performed in a systematic manner to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the surgery. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Incision Marking - The surgical team begins by marking the incision lines on the skin over the hip and thigh, which guides the subsequent surgical approach.
  • Incision Creation - An incision is made starting at the anteromedial aspect of the hip joint, which is then carried laterally over the greater trochanter and continues over the posterior aspect of the hip joint.
  • Myocutaneous Flap Creation - If feasible, a myocutaneous flap is created from the overlying tissue to assist in covering the surgical site post-amputation.
  • Exposure of Femoral Vessels - The femoral vessels are carefully exposed, then suture ligated and transected to control bleeding during the procedure.
  • Transection of Anterior Musculature - The anterior musculature is transected at the level of the greater trochanter to facilitate access to deeper structures.
  • Transection of Adductor Attachments - The adductor muscles are cut at their origins on the ischium and pubic rami, further preparing for the amputation.
  • Transection of Posterior Musculature - The posterior musculature is transected at the ischium to complete the disarticulation process.
  • Sciatic Nerve Transection - The sciatic nerve is transected to prevent complications and ensure complete removal of the leg.
  • Ligation and Transection of Gluteal Vessels - The gluteal vessels are ligated and transected to manage blood flow effectively.
  • Disarticulation of Femoral Head - The femoral head is disarticulated, leading to the complete amputation of the leg at the hip joint.
  • Drain Placement - Drains are placed in the hip region to prevent fluid accumulation and promote healing.
  • Wound Closure - The previously created myocutaneous flap is utilized to cover the surgical wound, ensuring proper closure and minimizing infection risk.

3. Post-Procedure

After the hip disarticulation procedure, patients will require careful monitoring and post-operative care to ensure proper recovery. The placement of drains in the hip region is crucial for managing any potential fluid accumulation, which can lead to complications if not addressed. Patients may experience pain and will likely be prescribed analgesics to manage discomfort. Rehabilitation will be an essential part of the recovery process, focusing on mobility and adaptation to the changes following the amputation. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing, manage any complications, and discuss options for prosthetic fitting if appropriate. Overall, the post-procedure care aims to support the patient's recovery and facilitate their adjustment to life after the amputation.

Short Descr AMPUTATION OF LEG AT HIP
Medium Descr DISARTICULATION HIP
Long Descr Disarticulation of hip
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 157 - Amputation of lower extremity
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.
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
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.
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
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)
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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