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A surgical arthroscopy of the shoulder, specifically coded as CPT® 29807, is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at repairing a SLAP lesion. A SLAP lesion refers to a tear located on the superior labrum, which is the cartilage that surrounds the shoulder joint, and it also involves the biceps tendon anchor site on the labrum. This type of injury can occur due to trauma or repetitive overhead activities, leading to pain, instability, and decreased range of motion in the shoulder. During the procedure, the patient is typically positioned either in a lateral decubitus position, where they lie on their side with the affected arm suspended, or in a beach chair position, which allows for better access to the shoulder joint. To facilitate the procedure, skin traction is applied to the arm to stabilize it. The surgeon makes incisions at anterior and posterior portals over the shoulder joint, through which sterile saline solution is introduced to expand the joint space, providing a clearer view of the internal structures. Following this, arthroscopic instruments are inserted, and a diagnostic arthroscopy is performed to confirm the presence of the SLAP lesion. The procedure involves debridement of the torn labral tissue and biceps tissue, as well as decortication of the underlying bone to prepare for the repair. The SLAP lesion can be repaired using direct sutures or by placing a suture anchor, depending on the specific characteristics of the tear. Once the repair is completed, the instruments are removed, excess fluid is drained, the incisions are closed, and a dressing is applied to promote healing.
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The procedure coded as CPT® 29807 is indicated for patients presenting with specific symptoms and conditions related to SLAP lesions. These indications include:
The procedure for CPT® 29807 involves several critical steps to effectively repair the SLAP lesion:
After the completion of the arthroscopic repair of the SLAP lesion, the patient will typically undergo a recovery period that may include pain management and rehabilitation. Post-procedure care involves monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive swelling. The patient may be advised to limit shoulder movement and engage in physical therapy to restore strength and range of motion gradually. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess the healing process and determine when the patient can safely return to normal activities.
| Short Descr | SHO ARTHRS SRG RPR SLAP LES | Medium Descr | SURGICAL ARTHROSCOPY SHOULDER REPAIR SLAP LESION | Long Descr | Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; repair of SLAP lesion | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 3 - Special payment adjustment rules for multiple endoscopic 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) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Endoscopic Base Code | 29805 Arthroscopy, shoulder, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsy (separate 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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 162 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on joints |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 29826 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; decompression of subacromial space with partial acromioplasty, with coracoacromial ligament (ie, arch) release, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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) | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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. | 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. | 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.) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | 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 |
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| 2021-01-01 | Changed | Short and medium descriptions changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2002. |
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