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The procedure described by CPT® Code 30468 involves the surgical repair of nasal valve collapse through the implantation of subcutaneous or submucosal lateral wall implants. The nasal valve is a critical structure within the nasal cavity that plays a significant role in regulating airflow. It is defined by the anterior tip of the inferior turbinate, the septum, and the upper lateral cartilage, extending down to the lower end of the septum and lower lateral cartilage. When the nasal valve collapses, it can lead to significant breathing difficulties, discomfort, and conditions such as snoring. This collapse may be attributed to various factors, including aging, congenital anatomical variations, inflammation resulting from trauma, or as a consequence of previous nasal surgeries. To address this issue, a small incision is made at the base of the nose, allowing for the implantation of a cartilage graft into the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. This graft serves to reshape the nasal valve, thereby restoring proper airflow and alleviating the symptoms associated with nasal obstruction. Various graft techniques may be employed during the procedure, including the vertical “V” shaped “spreader graft,” which helps to extend the internal nasal passage away from the septum, and the “butterfly graft,” which crosses the septum to enhance the breathing area of both nostrils. The graft material can be harvested from different donor sites, such as the ear, rib, or the nasal tissue itself, depending on the specific requirements of the surgical repair.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure is indicated for patients experiencing nasal valve collapse, which can lead to obstructed breathing and associated symptoms. The following conditions may warrant the surgical intervention described by CPT® Code 30468:
The surgical procedure for repairing nasal valve collapse involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
Following the procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve some swelling and discomfort in the nasal area. Post-operative care typically includes instructions for managing pain, maintaining nasal hygiene, and avoiding strenuous activities that could compromise the surgical site. Patients may also be advised to avoid blowing their nose for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor the healing process and assess the effectiveness of the graft in restoring proper nasal airflow. Any concerns regarding complications or unexpected symptoms should be promptly addressed with the healthcare provider.
| Short Descr | RPR NSL VLV COLLAPSE W/IMPLT | Medium Descr | RPR NSL VLV COLLAPSE SUBQ/SBMCSL LAT WALL IMPLT | Long Descr | Repair of nasal valve collapse with subcutaneous/submucosal lateral wall implant(s) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 2 - 150% payment adjustment 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 | Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 1 |
| 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). | 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). | 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). | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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). | 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.) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | 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) | SC | Medically necessary service or supply | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2021-01-01 | Added | Code added. |
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