© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 27692 involves the transfer or transplant of a single tendon in the lower leg, specifically when additional tendons are involved in the surgical intervention. This procedure is typically performed to restore function that may have been compromised due to traumatic injuries affecting the nerve, tendon, or muscle. In some cases, the loss of function may also arise from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gouty arthritis. The surgical approach can vary significantly based on the specific function that the surgeon aims to restore. For instance, the anterior tibial extensors are commonly transplanted into the midfoot to enhance mobility and function. The process begins with a longitudinal incision over the donor tendon, allowing for exposure and subsequent harvesting of the tendon, often accompanied by a strip of periosteum to ensure proper attachment at the recipient site. The muscle is also carefully freed from its fascial attachments to maximize the tendon’s mobility and length during the transfer. A second incision is made at the recipient site where the tendon will be anchored. The donor tendon is then routed to this site and temporarily secured with sutures. A neuromuscular stimulator is employed to assess the function of the donor tendon, and adjustments are made to ensure optimal tension before permanent fixation. After the surgical wounds are closed, immobilization of the ankle and foot may be necessary to facilitate recovery. This code is specifically used when more than one tendon is transferred or transplanted during the same surgical session, indicating the complexity and extent of the procedure being performed.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The transfer or transplant of a single tendon, as described by CPT® Code 27692, is indicated for various conditions that result in the loss of function of the lower leg. These indications include:
The procedure for tendon transfer or transplant involves several critical steps, which are detailed as follows:
Post-procedure care following a tendon transfer or transplant is essential for optimal recovery. Patients may require immobilization of the ankle and foot to prevent movement that could jeopardize the integrity of the surgical site. Monitoring for signs of infection, proper wound care, and adherence to rehabilitation protocols are critical components of post-operative care. Physical therapy may be initiated to restore function gradually, focusing on strengthening and improving the range of motion in the affected area. The timeline for recovery can vary based on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient's healing process.
| Short Descr | REVISE ADDITIONAL LEG TENDON | Medium Descr | TR/TRNSPL 1 TDN W/MUSC REDIRION/REROUTING EA TDN | Long Descr | Transfer or transplant of single tendon (with muscle redirection or rerouting); each additional tendon (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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) | 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 4 | CCS Clinical Classification | 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 27690 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Transfer or transplant of single tendon (with muscle redirection or rerouting); superficial (eg, anterior tibial extensors into midfoot) | 27691 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Transfer or transplant of single tendon (with muscle redirection or rerouting); deep (eg, anterior tibial or posterior tibial through interosseous space, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, or peroneal tendon to midfoot or hindfoot) |
| RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right 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. | 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. | 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 | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | T1 | Left foot, second digit | T2 | Left foot, third digit | T3 | Left foot, fourth digit | T4 | Left foot, fifth digit | T5 | Right foot, great toe | T6 | Right foot, second digit | T7 | Right foot, third digit | T8 | Right foot, fourth digit | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | 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
|
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.