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The procedure described by CPT® Code 32501 involves the surgical resection and repair of a portion of the bronchus, commonly referred to as bronchoplasty. This procedure is specifically performed in conjunction with a lobectomy or segmentectomy, which are surgeries that remove a lobe or segment of the lung, respectively. The primary goal of bronchoplasty is to excise a diseased or damaged section of the bronchus, which is the airway that leads to the lungs. Following the excision, the bronchus is repaired using various surgical techniques tailored to the extent of the resection. For smaller resections, a flap of the remaining bronchus may be utilized to close the defect. In cases where a larger section of the bronchus is removed, or when there is a significant size difference between the main bronchus and the remaining segmental bronchus, more complex repair techniques are employed. This may include plicating the larger main bronchus, which involves folding it to reduce its diameter, followed by performing an end-to-end anastomosis, a surgical connection between two ends of the bronchus to restore continuity. This procedure is critical for maintaining airway patency and ensuring proper lung function after the removal of lung tissue.
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The indications for performing bronchoplasty as described by CPT® Code 32501 include the following:
The procedural steps for bronchoplasty under CPT® Code 32501 are as follows:
Post-procedure care following bronchoplasty includes monitoring the patient for respiratory function and any signs of complications, such as infection or airway obstruction. Patients are typically observed in a recovery area until they are stable. Pain management is provided as needed, and the patient may require supplemental oxygen during the initial recovery phase. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to assess the integrity of the bronchial repair and ensure proper healing. The expected recovery time can vary based on the extent of the surgery and the patient's overall health status.
| Short Descr | REPAIR BRONCHUS ADD-ON | Medium Descr | RESCJ&BRONCHOPLASTY PFRMD TM LOBEC/SGMECTOMY | Long Descr | Resection and repair of portion of bronchus (bronchoplasty) when performed at time of lobectomy or segmentectomy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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 | 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 | 36 - Lobectomy or pneumonectomy |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 32480 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Removal of lung, other than pneumonectomy; single lobe (lobectomy) | 32482 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Removal of lung, other than pneumonectomy; 2 lobes (bilobectomy) | 32484 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Removal of lung, other than pneumonectomy; single segment (segmentectomy) |
| 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. | 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.) | 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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| 1996-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1996. |
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