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Official Description

Lysis intranasal synechia

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 30560 involves the lysis of intranasal synechia, which is a medical term referring to the presence of scar tissue or adhesions that form within the nasal passages. These adhesions can obstruct airflow and lead to various complications, including difficulty breathing through the nose. During the procedure, the physician employs techniques such as incision, electrocautery, or laser cautery to effectively destroy the scar tissue or adhesions. This intervention aims to restore normal nasal function by eliminating the obstructions caused by the synechia. In some cases, a temporary stent may be utilized to ensure that the nasal opening remains patent, allowing for proper airflow during the healing process. This procedure is essential for patients experiencing significant nasal blockage due to synechia, as it can greatly improve their quality of life and respiratory function.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The lysis of intranasal synechia is indicated for patients who present with the following conditions:

  • Obstructed Nasal Airway The presence of intranasal synechia can lead to significant obstruction in the nasal passages, causing difficulty in breathing.
  • Chronic Sinusitis Patients suffering from chronic sinusitis may experience exacerbated symptoms due to the presence of adhesions within the nasal cavity.
  • Post-Surgical Complications Individuals who have undergone previous nasal or sinus surgeries may develop synechia as a complication, necessitating intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for lysis of intranasal synechia involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of the adhesions within the nasal passages:

  • Step 1: Anesthesia Administration The procedure typically begins with the administration of local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort during the intervention. This may involve the application of topical anesthetic agents to the nasal mucosa.
  • Step 2: Visualization of the Nasal Passages The physician uses a nasal endoscope to visualize the internal structures of the nasal passages. This allows for precise identification of the synechia and assessment of the extent of the adhesions.
  • Step 3: Lysis of Synechia Once the synechia are identified, the physician employs one of several techniques—such as incision, electrocautery, or laser cautery—to carefully destroy the scar tissue or adhesions. The choice of technique may depend on the specific characteristics of the synechia and the physician's preference.
  • Step 4: Placement of Stent (if necessary) After the lysis is completed, a temporary stent may be placed within the nasal passage to maintain patency and prevent reformation of the adhesions during the healing process. This stent is typically removed after a specified period, as determined by the physician.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the lysis of intranasal synechia, patients may experience some degree of nasal discomfort and swelling. It is important for patients to follow post-procedure care instructions provided by their physician, which may include the use of saline nasal sprays to keep the nasal passages moist and promote healing. Patients should also be advised to avoid strenuous activities and to monitor for any signs of complications, such as excessive bleeding or infection. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess healing and to determine if the stent needs to be removed or if further intervention is required.

Short Descr LYSIS INTRANASAL SYNECHIA
Medium Descr LYSIS INTRANASAL SYNECHIA
Long Descr Lysis intranasal synechia
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - 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) 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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
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 33 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on nose, mouth and pharynx
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.
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.
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).
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.)
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
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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2024-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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