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Official Description

Excision or surgical planing of skin of nose for rhinophyma

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 30120 involves the excision or surgical planing of the skin of the nose specifically to address rhinophyma. Rhinophyma is characterized by an abnormal enlargement of the sebaceous glands located on the nose, leading to a thickened, bulbous appearance. This condition is often associated with rosacea and can significantly impact a patient's appearance and self-esteem. During the procedure, the physician employs various techniques such as excision, planing, dermabrasion, electrocautery, or laser treatment to remove the hyperplastic tissue effectively. It is crucial for the physician to preserve a sufficient amount of the surrounding adnexal skin structures at the base of the wound to facilitate proper healing and re-epithelialization of the skin. After the excision or planing is completed, the physician ensures that any bleeding is controlled, typically through cautery, and applies an ointment to the treated area to promote healing and protect the wound.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the treatment of rhinophyma, which is characterized by the following conditions:

  • Rhinophyma A condition marked by significant overgrowth (hyperplasia) of the sebaceous glands of the nose, leading to a thickened and bulbous appearance.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excision or surgical planing of the skin of the nose for rhinophyma involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned comfortably, and the area around the nose is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure the patient remains comfortable throughout the procedure.
  • Step 2: Excision or Planing The physician carefully excises or planes the hyperplastic skin using a scalpel, dermabrasion, electrocautery, laser, or a combination of these methods. The choice of technique depends on the severity of the rhinophyma and the physician's preference. The goal is to remove the excess tissue while preserving enough of the surrounding adnexal skin structures to allow for proper healing.
  • Step 3: Hemostasis After the excision or planing is completed, the physician controls any bleeding that may have occurred during the procedure. This is typically achieved through cautery, which helps to seal blood vessels and reduce the risk of postoperative bleeding.
  • Step 4: Wound Care Once hemostasis is achieved, an ointment is applied to the wound to protect the area and promote healing. The physician may provide specific instructions for postoperative care, including how to care for the wound and signs of potential complications to watch for.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the treated area for signs of infection or complications. Patients are typically advised to keep the area clean and may be instructed to apply ointment as directed. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and ensure that the skin is re-epithelializing properly. Patients should be informed about the expected recovery process, which may include some swelling, redness, and tenderness in the treated area, all of which are normal responses to the procedure.

Short Descr REVISION OF NOSE
Medium Descr EXCISION/SURGICAL PLANING SKIN NOSE RHINOPHYMA
Long Descr Excision or surgical planing of skin of nose for rhinophyma
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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
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) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 175 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast
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.
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
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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