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Official Description

Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, sequestrectomy, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis or bossing); phalanx of toe

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 28124 refers to a specific surgical procedure known as partial excision of bone, which can also be described using terms such as craterization, saucerization, sequestrectomy, or diaphysectomy. This procedure is primarily performed on the phalanx of the toe and is indicated for conditions such as osteomyelitis or the presence of a bony protuberance, commonly referred to as bossing. Osteomyelitis is a serious infection of the bone that produces pus and can lead to significant complications if not addressed. The term 'bossing' describes a bony protrusion that may develop due to various underlying conditions. During the procedure, the surgeon removes infected and necrotic bone tissue to create a shallow depression in the bone surface, facilitating drainage from the infected area. The techniques involved in this procedure include the excision of necrotic bone that has separated from healthy bone (sequestrectomy) and the removal of infected portions of the bone shaft (diaphysectomy). The goal of the procedure is to eliminate infection and promote healing, ensuring that any devitalized tissue is thoroughly removed to prevent further complications. This surgical intervention is critical in managing infections and abnormalities in the bone structure of the toe, ultimately aiming to restore function and alleviate pain.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 28124 is indicated for specific conditions affecting the phalanx of the toe. These include:

  • Osteomyelitis - A pyogenic infection of the bone that can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.
  • Bossing - The presence of a bony protuberance that may require surgical intervention to alleviate discomfort or functional impairment.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of the affected area. The following outlines the procedural steps involved:

  • Step 1: Incision - The surgeon begins by making an incision in the skin, carefully extending it through the soft tissue that covers the site of osteomyelitis or the bony protuberance. This initial incision is crucial for accessing the underlying bone.
  • Step 2: Resection of Soft Tissue - Any soft tissue sinus tracts and devitalized soft tissue are resected to prepare the area for further intervention. This step is essential to ensure that all infected tissue is removed.
  • Step 3: Exposure of Necrotic Bone - The area of necrotic and infected bone is then exposed, allowing the surgeon to assess the extent of the infection and plan the subsequent steps.
  • Step 4: Drilling and Excavation - A series of drill holes are made in the necrotic and infected bone. The bone between these drill holes is excavated using an osteotome to create an oval window, which facilitates access to the infected area.
  • Step 5: Excision of Sequestra - Any sequestra, or pieces of necrotic bone that have separated from healthy bone, are excised. The amount of bone removed is determined by the location of the sequestra and the extent of the infection.
  • Step 6: Curettage - A curette may be employed to remove any remaining devitalized tissue from the medullary canal, ensuring that all infected material is eliminated.
  • Step 7: Hemostasis - Debridement continues until punctate bleeding is identified on the exposed bony surface, indicating that healthy tissue has been reached.
  • Step 8: Irrigation - Once all devitalized and infected tissue has been removed, the surgical wound is copiously irrigated with sterile saline or an antibiotic solution to cleanse the area and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Step 9: Closure - The surgical wound is then loosely closed, and a drain may be placed to facilitate any necessary drainage post-operatively. If a boss is removed, the bony protuberance is exposed and excised using an osteotome to chip away the bony overgrowth.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients can expect specific post-operative care to promote healing and prevent complications. The surgical site will require monitoring for signs of infection, and the drain, if placed, will need to be managed appropriately. Patients may be advised on pain management strategies and the importance of keeping the area clean and dry. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and determine if further interventions are required. The recovery process may vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient's overall health status.

Short Descr PARTIAL REMOVAL OF TOE
Medium Descr PARTICAL EXCISION BONE PHALANX TOE
Long Descr Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, sequestrectomy, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis or bossing); phalanx of toe
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 Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 4
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
TA Left foot, great toe
T5 Right foot, great toe
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.
T6 Right foot, second digit
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).
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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.
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).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
F1 Left hand, second digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F5 Right hand, thumb
F6 Right hand, second digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
FA Left hand, thumb
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T1 Left foot, second digit
T2 Left foot, third digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T7 Right foot, third digit
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
TL Early intervention/individualized family service plan (ifsp)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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