Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
RedactPHI
HIPAA-Compliant PHI Redaction
DetectICD10CM
ICD-10-CM Code Detection
Log in Register free account
1 code page views remaining. Guest accounts are limited to 1 page view. Register free account to get 5 more views.
Log in Register free account

Official Description

Tracheotomy tube change prior to establishment of fistula tract

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A tracheotomy tube change prior to the establishment of a fistula tract involves the replacement of an existing tracheotomy tube with a new one. This procedure is essential for patients who require ongoing airway management through a tracheostomy. The process begins with the selection of an obturator and inner cannula that are compatible with the outer cannula of the existing tracheotomy tube. The obturator serves as a guide to facilitate the insertion of the new tube. During the procedure, the cuff of the existing tube is deflated to allow for safe removal. The ties securing the tube are cut, and both the tube and its inner cannula are carefully extracted. A new tracheotomy tube is then inserted while maintaining the obturator in place to ensure proper alignment and prevent airway obstruction. After the new tube is in position, the obturator is removed, and the new tube is secured to prevent displacement. The inner cannula is subsequently inserted and locked into place, and the cuff of the tracheotomy tube is inflated to ensure a secure fit and maintain airway patency. This procedure is critical for patients who may have complications or require adjustments to their tracheostomy management before a fistula tract is established.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of changing a tracheotomy tube prior to the establishment of a fistula tract is indicated for patients who require ongoing airway support and management through a tracheostomy. Specific indications for this procedure may include:

  • Airway Maintenance Patients who need to maintain a patent airway due to conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma, or other respiratory disorders.
  • Tube Replacement Situations where the existing tracheotomy tube is obstructed, damaged, or needs to be replaced for hygiene and maintenance purposes.
  • Preparation for Fistula Tract Patients who are transitioning to a fistula tract for long-term airway management may require tube changes as part of their treatment plan.

2. Procedure

The procedure for changing a tracheotomy tube prior to the establishment of a fistula tract involves several critical steps to ensure patient safety and effective airway management. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Selection of Equipment The healthcare provider selects an obturator and inner cannula that are compatible with the outer cannula of the existing tracheotomy tube. This selection is crucial to ensure a proper fit and function of the new tube.
  • Step 2: Insertion of Obturator The obturator is placed inside the outer cannula of the new tracheotomy tube. This step is essential as it provides a smooth surface for the tube to be inserted into the tracheostomy site.
  • Step 3: Deflation and Removal of Existing Tube The cuff of the existing tracheotomy tube is deflated to allow for safe removal. The ties securing the tube are cut, and the tube along with its inner cannula is carefully removed from the tracheostomy site.
  • Step 4: Insertion of New Tube A new tracheotomy tube is immediately inserted into the tracheostomy site while securely holding the obturator inside the outer cannula. This step is critical to prevent airway obstruction during the transition.
  • Step 5: Removal of Obturator Once the new tube is in place, the obturator is removed. This allows for the establishment of an open airway through the new tracheotomy tube.
  • Step 6: Securing the New Tube The new tracheotomy tube is then secured to prevent displacement. This may involve re-tying or using other securing mechanisms to ensure stability.
  • Step 7: Insertion of Inner Cannula The inner cannula is inserted into the new tracheotomy tube and locked into place. This component is important for maintaining airway patency and facilitating cleaning.
  • Step 8: Inflation of Cuff Finally, the cuff of the tracheotomy tube is inflated to ensure a secure fit within the trachea, which helps to prevent air leaks and maintain effective ventilation.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, the patient should be monitored for any signs of respiratory distress or complications related to the tracheotomy tube change. It is important to ensure that the new tube is functioning properly and that the cuff is adequately inflated to maintain airway patency. The healthcare provider should also provide instructions for care and maintenance of the tracheotomy tube, including how to clean the inner cannula and monitor for any signs of infection or tube displacement. Regular follow-up assessments may be necessary to evaluate the patient's airway management and overall respiratory status as they transition towards the establishment of a fistula tract.

Short Descr CHANGE OF WINDPIPE AIRWAY
Medium Descr TRACHEOTOMY TUBE CHANGE PRIOR TO FISTULA TRACT
Long Descr Tracheotomy tube change prior to establishment of fistula tract
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) 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 Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; 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 41 - Other non-OR therapeutic procedures on respiratory system
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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).
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
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).
AG Primary physician
AM Physician, team member service
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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
ET Emergency services
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
Date
Action
Notes
1991-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1991.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"