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Official Description

Excision of lesion of tongue with closure; anterior two-thirds

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 41112 refers to the excision of a lesion located on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, accompanied by closure of the surgical site. This procedure typically begins with the administration of a local anesthetic, which is injected around and beneath the lesion to ensure patient comfort during the operation. Following anesthesia, a surgical incision is made through the epithelium, extending into the underlying fibrous tissue and muscle. The incision is carefully crafted to encircle the lesion, allowing for its complete excision along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure that no residual disease remains. After the lesion is removed, it is standard practice to send the excised tissue to a laboratory for pathology examination, which is separately reportable. This procedure is distinct from other related codes; for instance, CPT® Code 41110 involves the excision of a small superficial lesion without the need for closure, while CPT® Code 41113 pertains to the excision of a larger, deeper lesion in the posterior one-third of the tongue, also with suture repair. Additionally, CPT® Code 41114 describes a more complex procedure where a lesion is excised, and a local tongue flap is utilized for repair, involving the elevation and rotation of adjacent myomucosal tissue to cover the defect created by the excision. Overall, CPT® Code 41112 is specifically designed for the excision of deeper lesions in the anterior portion of the tongue, ensuring both removal of the lesion and proper closure of the surgical site.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 41112 is indicated for the excision of lesions located in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. These lesions may present as various types of growths or abnormalities that require surgical intervention for removal. The specific indications for this procedure include:

  • Lesion Removal Lesions that are suspected to be malignant or pre-malignant, necessitating excision for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
  • Symptomatic Lesions Lesions causing discomfort, pain, or functional impairment in the oral cavity, which may affect speech, swallowing, or overall oral health.
  • Cosmetic Concerns Lesions that may be of cosmetic concern to the patient, warranting surgical removal for aesthetic reasons.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 41112 involves several critical steps to ensure the effective excision of the lesion while maintaining the integrity of the surrounding tissue. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Anesthesia Administration The procedure begins with the administration of a local anesthetic. This is injected around and beneath the lesion to numb the area, ensuring that the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the excision.
  • Step 2: Incision Creation Once the area is adequately anesthetized, the surgeon makes an incision through the epithelium, carefully penetrating into the underlying fibrous tissue and muscle. This incision is strategically designed to encircle the lesion, allowing for complete access.
  • Step 3: Lesion Excision The surgeon proceeds to excise the lesion along with a margin of healthy tissue. This margin is crucial to ensure that any potentially malignant cells are removed, reducing the risk of recurrence.
  • Step 4: Pathology Preparation After the lesion is excised, it is sent to a laboratory for pathology examination. This step is essential for determining the nature of the lesion and ensuring appropriate follow-up care.
  • Step 5: Closure of Surgical Site Following the excision and pathology preparation, the surgical site is closed using sutures. This closure is vital for proper healing and to minimize complications such as infection or excessive scarring.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure associated with CPT® Code 41112, patients can expect specific post-operative care and considerations. It is important for patients to follow the surgeon's instructions regarding wound care to promote healing and prevent infection. Patients may experience some swelling, discomfort, or pain at the surgical site, which can typically be managed with prescribed pain relief medications. Follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the healing process and to discuss the results of the pathology examination. Any signs of complications, such as increased pain, redness, or discharge from the surgical site, should be reported to the healthcare provider promptly. Overall, the recovery period will vary depending on the individual and the extent of the excision, but most patients can expect a gradual return to normal activities within a few days to weeks, depending on their specific circumstances.

Short Descr EXCISION OF TONGUE LESION
Medium Descr EXC LESION TONGUE W/CLSR ANTERIOR TWO-THIRDS
Long Descr Excision of lesion of tongue with closure; anterior two-thirds
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) 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 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) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 33 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on nose, mouth and pharynx
47 Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures.
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.
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.
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.
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).
AG Primary physician
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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
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