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Official Description

Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy), bone (eg, osteomyelitis); tibia

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 27640 refers to a surgical procedure known as partial excision of bone, specifically targeting the tibia. This procedure is performed to address conditions such as osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone. The common language description elaborates on the techniques involved, including craterization and saucerization, which are methods used to remove infected and necrotic bone tissue. These techniques create a shallow depression in the bone surface, facilitating drainage from the infected area. Additionally, diaphysectomy is a technique that involves the removal of the infected portion of the shaft of a long bone, in this case, the tibia. The procedure begins with an incision through the skin and soft tissue over the site of infection, allowing access to the affected area. The surgical approach includes resecting any soft tissue sinus tracts and devitalized soft tissue, exposing the necrotic and infected bone. The extent of bone removal is determined by the severity of the infection, and the procedure aims to eliminate all devitalized and infected tissue to promote healing and recovery. Proper irrigation of the wound with sterile saline or an antibiotic solution is performed before the surgical site is closed, often with a drain placed to manage any potential fluid accumulation.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27640 is indicated for the treatment of osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone. This condition may present with symptoms such as:

  • Infection: Presence of infected bone tissue that requires surgical intervention.
  • Necrosis: Areas of dead or devitalized bone that need to be removed to prevent further complications.
  • Drainage: Need for drainage of infected material to promote healing and reduce the risk of systemic infection.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 27640 involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of the infected bone. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Incision and Access An incision is made in the skin over the site of the osteomyelitis, extending through the soft tissue to gain access to the underlying bone. This initial step is crucial for exposing the infected area.
  • Step 2: Resection of Soft Tissue The surgeon resects any soft tissue sinus tracts and devitalized soft tissue surrounding the infected bone. This step is essential to remove any non-viable tissue that could harbor infection.
  • Step 3: Exposure of Infected Bone Once the soft tissue is removed, the area of necrotic and infected bone is exposed, allowing for direct intervention on the bone itself.
  • Step 4: Drilling and Excavation A series of drill holes are made in the infected bone, and the bone between these holes is excavated using an osteotome. This technique creates an oval window in the bone, facilitating the removal of infected tissue.
  • Step 5: Removal of Devitalized Tissue A curette may be employed to remove any remaining devitalized tissue from the medullary canal, ensuring that all infected material is eliminated.
  • Step 6: Hemostasis The debridement continues until punctate bleeding is observed on the exposed bony surface, indicating that healthy tissue has been reached.
  • Step 7: Irrigation The surgical wound is copiously irrigated with sterile saline or an antibiotic solution to cleanse the area and reduce the risk of postoperative infection.
  • Step 8: Closure Finally, the surgical wound is loosely closed, and a drain is placed to allow for the drainage of any excess fluid that may accumulate postoperatively.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve monitoring for signs of infection and managing any postoperative pain. The presence of a drain will help prevent fluid accumulation, and it is essential to follow up with the healthcare provider to assess healing and ensure that the infection has been adequately addressed. Additional care instructions may include wound care and activity restrictions to promote optimal recovery.

Short Descr PARTIAL REMOVAL OF TIBIA
Medium Descr PARTIAL EXCISION BONE TIBIA
Long Descr Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy), bone (eg, osteomyelitis); tibia
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 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 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)
20702 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), intramedullary (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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).
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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).
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.
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).
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
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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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