© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 31554 is known as laryngoplasty, specifically performed for the correction of laryngeal stenosis in patients aged 12 years or older. Laryngeal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the airway in the larynx, which can occur in various forms, including partial or circumferential narrowing of the supraglottis, glottis, or subglottis. This condition can be congenital, often resulting from the failure of the laryngeal lumen to recanalize after the formation of the epithelial lamina, particularly affecting the subglottic area. Congenital laryngeal stenosis may present as membranous, circumferential, symmetric, or cartilaginous, with deformities in the cricoid cartilage or tracheal ring that can protrude into the airway either symmetrically or asymmetrically. Acquired laryngeal stenosis can arise from various factors, including trauma from endotracheal intubation, gastroesophageal reflux, infections, autoimmune disorders, malignancies, amyloidosis, inhalation burns, or radiation exposure. Patients with laryngeal stenosis may exhibit symptoms such as inspiratory or biphasic stridor, apnea, tachypnea, dyspnea, voice hoarseness, aphonia, and dysphagia. The primary goal of laryngoplasty is to create an adequate airway while preserving or improving the quality of the voice. During the procedure, an incision is made at the level of the larynx to access the thyroid cartilage, and a burr is used to create a window in the cartilage. The perichondrium is then undermined, and an endoscope is utilized to visualize the larynx, allowing for the dissection of the stenotic area to remove any obstructive tissue or excess cartilage. A graft, which may be sourced from autogenous costal cartilage, auricular cartilage, thyroid cartilage, or buccal mucosa, is fashioned and sutured into place. Additionally, an indwelling stent made of molded silicone or Teflon may be placed in the airway to secure the graft and expand the reconstructed area, or an endotracheal tube may be left in place for stenting purposes. The procedure concludes with the removal of the endoscope and closure of the incision.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure of laryngoplasty with graft and indwelling stent placement, as described by CPT® Code 31554, is indicated for the treatment of laryngeal stenosis in patients aged 12 years or older. The specific indications for this procedure include:
The laryngoplasty procedure involves several critical steps to effectively address laryngeal stenosis. The procedural steps are as follows:
Post-procedure care following laryngoplasty with graft and indwelling stent placement involves monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as infection or airway obstruction. Patients may require close observation in a recovery setting, especially if an endotracheal tube is left in place. The expected recovery period will vary based on individual patient factors and the extent of the procedure. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing of the graft site and the overall function of the airway. Patients may also need to be educated on signs of complications and the importance of adhering to follow-up care to ensure optimal outcomes.
| Short Descr | LARYNGOPLASTY LARYNGEAL STEN | Medium Descr | LARYNGOPLASTY LARYNGEAL STEN W/STENT 12 YRS > | Long Descr | Laryngoplasty; for laryngeal stenosis, with graft, with indwelling stent placement, age 12 years or older | 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) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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 | 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) | P8H - Endoscopy - laryngoscopy | MUE | 1 |
| 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). | 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. | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2017-01-01 | Added | Added |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.