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Decompression fasciotomy is a surgical procedure aimed at alleviating the pressure within muscle compartments, specifically in the leg, to treat a condition known as compartment syndrome. This syndrome occurs when swelling within a muscle compartment leads to increased pressure, which can compress blood vessels and nerves, potentially resulting in severe complications such as permanent muscle and nerve damage. The muscle compartments in the lower leg are encased in a non-expandable layer of connective tissue called fascia, which separates different muscle groups. When swelling occurs, the fascia does not allow for expansion, leading to restricted blood flow. The procedure involves making an incision to access the affected compartments, which include the anterior, lateral, deep posterior, and superficial posterior compartments. In the case of CPT® Code 27893, the focus is on decompressing the superficial and deep posterior compartments. The surgical approach requires careful dissection to protect vital structures such as the saphenous vein and nerve while ensuring that the fascia is adequately opened to relieve pressure. This procedure is critical in preventing irreversible damage to the muscles and nerves due to prolonged compression.
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The procedure of decompression fasciotomy, specifically CPT® Code 27893, is indicated for the treatment of compartment syndrome in the leg. This condition is characterized by the following:
The procedure for decompression fasciotomy involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of compartment syndrome:
Following the decompression fasciotomy, the skin and fascial incisions are typically left open and covered with a dressing. This approach allows for monitoring of the surgical site and any potential swelling that may occur post-operatively. The patient is usually returned to the operating room for wound closure once the swelling subsides, which typically occurs within 24 to 72 hours. Close observation is essential during this recovery period to ensure that the decompression has been successful and to prevent any complications.
| Short Descr | DECOMPRESSION OF LEG | Medium Descr | DCMPRN FASCT LEG PST W/DBRDMT MUSC&/NRV | Long Descr | Decompression fasciotomy, leg; posterior compartment(s) only, with debridement of nonviable muscle and/or nerve | 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) | 0 - 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 | 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons |
| 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. | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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) |
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| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
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