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Official Description

Amputation, thigh, through femur, any level; re-amputation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27596 refers to the surgical process of re-amputation of the thigh through the femur at any level. This procedure is typically performed when there is a need to remove diseased, infected, or nonviable tissue that poses a risk to the patient's health. The goal of re-amputation is not only to eliminate harmful tissue but also to create a healthy stump that can be fitted with a prosthesis, thereby improving the patient's quality of life and mobility. The surgical approach involves careful planning, where incision lines are marked on the skin to ensure precision. The operation requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the thigh, including the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, to minimize complications and promote optimal healing. The procedure is complex and necessitates the surgeon's expertise in managing soft tissue, muscle groups, and the femur itself to achieve a successful outcome.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The re-amputation of the thigh through the femur is indicated in specific clinical scenarios where the integrity of the limb is compromised. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Disease The presence of disease in the leg that has led to significant tissue damage or necrosis.
  • Infection Severe infections that cannot be managed through conservative treatment and pose a risk of systemic spread.
  • Nonviable Tissue The presence of nonviable tissue that cannot be salvaged, necessitating removal to prevent further complications.
  • Prosthetic Fitting The need to create a healthy stump that is suitable for the fitting of a prosthesis, enhancing the patient's mobility and quality of life.

2. Procedure

The re-amputation procedure involves several critical steps to ensure the successful removal of the affected limb segment and the creation of a suitable stump. The following procedural steps are undertaken:

  • Step 1: Marking Incision Lines The surgeon begins by marking the incision lines on the skin, which are determined based on the level of re-amputation required to ensure the removal of all diseased or nonviable tissue.
  • Step 2: Incision and Exposure An incision is made through the skin and underlying soft tissue to access the muscles of the thigh. The incision is carefully extended to expose the muscle groups.
  • Step 3: Muscle Isolation and Division The muscles are isolated by group and divided to facilitate access to the underlying structures. This step is crucial for ensuring that the surgical field is clear and manageable.
  • Step 4: Nerve and Blood Vessel Management Nerves and blood vessels are identified and isolated. Care is taken to separate nerves from arteries to prevent any pulsatile irritation of the nerves. The nerves are then transected and allowed to retract into the surrounding soft tissue.
  • Step 5: Blood Vessel Ligation Blood vessels are suture ligated and transected to control bleeding and prepare for the removal of the femur.
  • Step 6: Femur Exposure and Transection The femur is exposed, and periosteal flaps are created. The femur is then transected at the level of the periosteal flaps, ensuring a clean cut for optimal healing.
  • Step 7: Suturing of Flaps The periosteal flaps are sutured over the remaining femur to protect the bone and promote healing.
  • Step 8: Muscle Group Suturing Antagonistic muscle groups are sutured to each other and anchored to the periosteum, ensuring that the remaining portion of the femur is completely enveloped in muscle for better support and function.
  • Step 9: Skin Closure Finally, skin flaps are fashioned and sutured over the muscle to complete the procedure, ensuring that the surgical site is properly closed and protected.

3. Post-Procedure

After the re-amputation procedure, the patient will require careful monitoring and post-operative care to ensure proper healing. This may include pain management, wound care, and rehabilitation to prepare for the fitting of a prosthesis. The surgical site will need to be kept clean and dry, and any signs of infection or complications should be promptly addressed. The recovery process may vary depending on the individual patient's health status and the extent of the surgery performed.

Short Descr AMPUTATION FOLLOW-UP SURGERY
Medium Descr AMPUTATION THIGH THROUGH FEMUR RE-AMPUTATION
Long Descr Amputation, thigh, through femur, any level; re-amputation
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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.
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).
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.
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
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
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
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