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Ablation of the soft tissue of the inferior turbinates is a medical procedure aimed at alleviating nasal obstruction caused by the hypertrophy, or enlargement, of the mucosal tissue within the nasal passages. This procedure can be performed unilaterally (on one side) or bilaterally (on both sides) and utilizes various methods, including electrocautery, radiofrequency ablation, or tissue volume reduction techniques. The term "intramural" refers to the submucosal layer, indicating that the ablation targets deeper tissue beneath the mucosal surface rather than just the superficial layers. The procedure involves the insertion of a specialized device, such as an electrosurgical probe or laser, into the nostril, which is then advanced to the inferior turbinate. Once positioned, the device is activated to destroy the targeted tissue, thereby reducing the volume of the inferior turbinate and improving airflow through the nasal passages. This procedure is particularly beneficial for patients suffering from chronic nasal obstruction due to enlarged turbinates, providing a potential solution to enhance their quality of life by improving nasal breathing.
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The procedure is indicated for patients experiencing nasal obstruction due to hypertrophy of the mucosa of the inferior turbinates. This condition can lead to difficulty in breathing through the nose, chronic nasal congestion, and other related symptoms. The ablation of the inferior turbinates is performed to alleviate these symptoms and improve overall nasal airflow.
The procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective ablation of the inferior turbinates. First, the patient is positioned comfortably, and local anesthesia may be administered to minimize discomfort during the procedure. Next, the physician inserts a specialized device, such as an electrosurgical probe or laser, into the nostril and carefully advances it to the inferior turbinate. Once the device is in place, it is activated to deliver energy that destroys the targeted intramural (submucosal) tissue. The physician monitors the amount of tissue being ablated to achieve the desired reduction in turbinate size. If the procedure is performed bilaterally, the same steps are repeated on the opposite side to ensure symmetry and optimal airflow. Throughout the procedure, the physician maintains a sterile environment and adheres to safety protocols to minimize risks and complications.
After the procedure, patients may experience some swelling and discomfort in the nasal passages, which is typically managed with prescribed pain relief medications. It is important for patients to follow post-operative care instructions provided by their physician, which may include avoiding strenuous activities, refraining from blowing the nose, and using saline nasal sprays to keep the nasal passages moist. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor healing and assess the effectiveness of the procedure. Most patients can expect a gradual improvement in nasal airflow and a reduction in symptoms over the following weeks as the tissues heal.
| Short Descr | ABLATE INF TURBINATE SUBMUC | Medium Descr | ABLTJ SOF TISS INF TURBS UNI/BI SUPFC INTRAMURAL | Long Descr | Ablation, soft tissue of inferior turbinates, unilateral or bilateral, any method (eg, electrocautery, radiofrequency ablation, or tissue volume reduction); intramural (ie, submucosal) | 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) | 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 | 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). | 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. | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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). | 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. | 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.) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 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 | 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) | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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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| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1992-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1992. |
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