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A laryngotomy, also known as a thyrotomy or laryngofissure, is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision in the larynx to access and remove pathological structures such as tumors, laryngoceles, or vocal cords. This procedure is indicated when there is a need to excise a tumor that may be obstructing the airway or affecting vocal function, or to remove a laryngocele, which is a cystic dilation of the laryngeal saccule that can cause respiratory distress or other complications. The surgery begins with an incision over the thyroid cartilage, which is then split in the midline using an oscillating saw to expose the larynx. Once the larynx is accessible, the surgeon identifies the tumor or laryngocele and excises it, ensuring to remove a margin of healthy tissue to minimize the risk of recurrence. In cases where the vocal cord is involved, a cordectomy is performed, which entails the complete removal of the affected vocal cord along with surrounding healthy tissue. After the necessary excisions are completed, the surgical wound in the larynx is meticulously closed with sutures to promote healing and restore the integrity of the airway.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The laryngotomy procedure is indicated for several specific conditions and symptoms that necessitate surgical intervention. These include:
The laryngotomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective access and removal of the targeted structures. The steps are as follows:
Post-procedure care following a laryngotomy is critical for recovery and may include monitoring for complications such as bleeding or infection. Patients may experience hoarseness or changes in voice due to the nature of the surgery, especially if a cordectomy was performed. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess healing and vocal function. Additionally, patients may require supportive care, including pain management and possibly speech therapy, to aid in recovery and rehabilitation of vocal function.
| Short Descr | REMOVAL OF LARYNX LESION | Medium Descr | LARYNGOTOMY W/RMVL TUMOR/LARYNGOCELE CORDECTOMY | Long Descr | Laryngotomy (thyrotomy, laryngofissure), with removal of tumor or laryngocele, cordectomy | 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) | 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 | 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) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 42 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on respiratory system |
| 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). | 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.) | 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). | 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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| 2018-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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