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Official Description

Maxillectomy; with orbital exenteration (en bloc)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 31230 refers to a maxillectomy performed with orbital exenteration in an en bloc fashion. A maxillectomy involves the surgical removal of the maxilla, which is the upper jawbone, and is typically indicated for patients with malignant tumors located in the maxillary sinus. In cases where the tumor has invaded the periorbital region, the procedure may necessitate the removal of orbital structures, leading to an orbital exenteration. This radical approach is crucial for ensuring complete resection of the tumor and minimizing the risk of recurrence. The procedure can be approached through a lateral rhinotomy or an intraoral route, depending on the tumor's location. The surgical team meticulously removes the mucosa and bone of the maxillary sinus, ensuring that all affected tissues are excised. Following the maxillectomy, the orbital floor is reconstructed to restore anatomical integrity. In the case of en bloc orbital exenteration, the surgery involves a comprehensive removal of the eyeball and all orbital contents, which is performed through a full-thickness incision around the eye. This detailed approach is essential for addressing extensive malignancies that compromise both the maxillary and orbital regions.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 31230 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Malignant Tumors of the Maxillary Sinus - This procedure is primarily performed for patients diagnosed with malignant tumors that have developed within the maxillary sinus, necessitating extensive surgical intervention.
  • Invasion of the Periorbital Region - Orbital exenteration is indicated when the tumor has invaded the periorbital region, requiring the removal of orbital structures to ensure complete tumor resection.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure the effective removal of the tumor and surrounding structures:

  • Step 1: Surgical Approach - The surgeon begins by selecting an appropriate surgical approach, which may be a lateral rhinotomy or an intraoral approach through the canine fossa. The choice of approach depends on the specific location of the tumor within the maxillary sinus.
  • Step 2: Resection of Maxillary Structures - Once the approach is established, the surgeon proceeds to completely resect the mucosa and bone of the maxillary sinus. This step is crucial for ensuring that all malignant tissues are removed, thereby reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.
  • Step 3: Orbital Exenteration - In cases requiring orbital exenteration, traction sutures are placed posterior to the margins of the closed eyelids. An incision is made in the superior aspect of the eyelid, extending through the skin behind the eyelashes. The incision is carried around the entire circumference of the eye, including the skin around the outer and inner canthi, and through the subcutaneous tissues into the periosteum surrounding the orbital rim.
  • Step 4: Removal of Orbital Contents - The surgeon utilizes periorbital elevators to free the periosteum from the underlying bone. The eyeball and all contents of the orbit are then removed en bloc, ensuring that no malignant cells remain.
  • Step 5: Closure - After the removal of the orbital contents, the skin above and below the eye socket is approximated and sutured to facilitate proper healing and restore the anatomical appearance of the area.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing CPT® Code 31230 includes monitoring for complications such as infection, bleeding, or issues related to the surgical site. Patients may require pain management and should be advised on wound care to promote healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess recovery and to monitor for any signs of tumor recurrence. Additionally, patients may need to be referred for reconstructive surgery or rehabilitation services to address any functional or aesthetic concerns resulting from the extensive surgical intervention.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF UPPER JAW
Medium Descr MAXILLECTOMY W/ORBITAL EXENTERATION
Long Descr Maxillectomy; with orbital exenteration (en bloc)
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply 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.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 142 - Partial excision bone
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.
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).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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)
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