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Official Description

Removal of foreign body, foot; complicated

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 28193 refers to the removal of a complicated foreign body from the foot. This procedure is necessary when the foreign body is located in deeper tissues, which may require extensive dissection for removal. Complicated foreign bodies can include those that have penetrated deeply, have been retained in the body causing infection, or are situated in areas that are difficult to access. The physician begins by inspecting the foot for any signs of a puncture site. If a puncture site is not visible, the foreign body may be located through palpation or by using radiographs that can be reported separately. The procedure involves making an incision in the foot and carefully dissecting the surrounding tissues while protecting vital structures such as ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Once the foreign body is located, it is removed, and the wound is treated by debriding any necrotic tissue and flushing it with normal saline to eliminate debris. Depending on the specifics of the injury, the wound may either be closed or left open to allow for drainage and healing by secondary intention.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 28193 is indicated for the removal of complicated foreign bodies from the foot. These indications may include:

  • Deep Tissue Penetration: Foreign bodies that have penetrated beyond the superficial layers of the skin into deeper tissues.
  • Infection: Foreign bodies that have been retained in the foot and are causing or have caused an infection.
  • Difficult Access: Foreign bodies located in regions of the foot that are challenging to access due to anatomical considerations.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the removal of a complicated foreign body from the foot involves several critical steps:

  • Incision: The physician begins by making an incision in the foot to access the area where the foreign body is located. This incision is strategically placed to allow for optimal access while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
  • Tissue Dissection: Once the incision is made, the physician carefully dissects the surrounding tissues. This step is crucial as it involves protecting vital structures such as ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels that may be in proximity to the foreign body.
  • Foreign Body Removal: After adequate dissection, the foreign body is located and removed. This may require additional manipulation or techniques depending on the complexity of the case.
  • Wound Debridement: Following the removal of the foreign body, the wound is debrided as necessary to remove any necrotic tissue or debris that may be present.
  • Wound Flushing: The wound is then copiously flushed with normal saline to ensure that all debris is cleared from the site, promoting a clean environment for healing.
  • Wound Closure or Packing: Depending on the nature of the injury and the extent of the dissection, the wound may either be closed with sutures or left open and packed to allow for drainage and healing by secondary intention.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for a complicated foreign body removal from the foot includes monitoring the wound for signs of infection, ensuring proper drainage if the wound is left open, and providing instructions for wound care. Patients may be advised to keep the area clean and dry, and to follow up with their healthcare provider for further evaluation and management. Pain management may also be addressed, and any necessary follow-up imaging or assessments should be scheduled to ensure proper healing.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF FOOT FOREIGN BODY
Medium Descr REMOVAL FOREIGN BODY FOOT COMPLICATED
Long Descr Removal of foreign body, foot; complicated
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) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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)
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient 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).
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.
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.)
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
T1 Left foot, second digit
T5 Right foot, great toe
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
TA Left foot, great toe
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Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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