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Official Description

Amputation, leg, through tibia and fibula; secondary closure or scar revision

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Amputation of the leg through the tibia and fibula is a significant surgical procedure that may require secondary closure or scar revision. This procedure is aimed at improving the condition of the residual limb, or stump, following an initial amputation. The goal is to create a pain-free stump that is adequately covered with healthy skin, allowing for better functionality with a prosthetic device. In cases of secondary closure, the surgeon meticulously debrides the raw surface of the stump, removing any devitalized tissue to promote healing and prevent complications. The skin and subcutaneous tissue are then carefully shaped into flaps that will cover the stump, ensuring that there is no excessive tension on the suture line, which is crucial for optimal healing. In instances where scar tissue from the original amputation is present, scar revision is performed. This involves excising the scar tissue and fashioning skin flaps, with the edges being undermined to facilitate a smooth and tension-free closure. Overall, this procedure is essential for enhancing the quality of life for patients by improving the functionality and appearance of the residual limb.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of secondary closure or scar revision following a leg amputation through the tibia and fibula is indicated for several reasons, primarily focusing on improving the condition of the residual limb. The following are the explicit indications for this procedure:

  • Pain Management The procedure is performed to alleviate pain associated with the stump, ensuring that the patient can use a prosthesis comfortably.
  • Improved Functionality Secondary closure aims to create a stump that is better suited for prosthetic fitting, enhancing the patient's mobility and overall quality of life.
  • Scar Tissue Management Scar revision is indicated to address unsightly or problematic scar tissue that may hinder the healing process or cause discomfort.
  • Skin Integrity The procedure is necessary to ensure that the stump is covered with healthy skin, which is vital for proper healing and integration with prosthetic devices.

2. Procedure

The procedure for secondary closure or scar revision involves several critical steps to ensure optimal outcomes for the patient. Each step is designed to address specific aspects of the stump's condition and promote healing.

  • Step 1: Debridement The first step involves thorough debridement of the raw surface of the stump. This process is essential for removing any devitalized tissue that could impede healing and increase the risk of infection. The surgeon carefully inspects the stump to identify and excise any non-viable tissue, ensuring a clean base for subsequent steps.
  • Step 2: Flap Creation Following debridement, the surgeon fashions skin and subcutaneous tissue into flaps. This is a critical step where the surgeon meticulously shapes the tissue to cover the stump adequately. The flaps must be designed to ensure that they can be sutured without undue tension, which is vital for a successful closure and healing process.
  • Step 3: Closure Once the flaps are in place, the surgeon proceeds to close the stump. This involves carefully suturing the edges of the flaps together, ensuring that the suture line is smooth and tension-free. This step is crucial for minimizing scarring and promoting optimal healing.
  • Step 4: Scar Revision (if applicable) In cases where scar tissue is present, the surgeon will excise the scar tissue during the procedure. This involves cutting away the problematic scar and creating new skin flaps to replace it. The edges of the new flaps are also undermined to facilitate a smooth closure, ensuring that the new suture line is free from tension.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the secondary closure or scar revision procedure, patients can expect specific post-procedure care and considerations. It is essential to monitor the surgical site for any signs of infection or complications. Patients are typically advised to keep the area clean and dry, following the surgeon's instructions regarding wound care. Pain management may be necessary, and the healthcare provider will prescribe appropriate medications to alleviate discomfort. Additionally, patients may need to attend follow-up appointments to assess the healing process and ensure that the stump is adapting well to any prosthetic fitting. Overall, proper post-procedure care is crucial for achieving the desired outcomes and enhancing the patient's quality of life.

Short Descr AMPUTATION FOLLOW-UP SURGERY
Medium Descr AMP LEG THRU TIBIA&FIBULA SEC CLOSURE/SCAR REV
Long Descr Amputation, leg, through tibia and fibula; secondary closure or scar revision
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) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
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) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 157 - Amputation of lower extremity
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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.
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).
99 Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service.
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
Date
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2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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