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A frenoplasty, also known as frenuloplasty, is a surgical procedure aimed at revising the frenum, which is a small fold of tissue that secures the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This procedure is particularly indicated for patients who experience recurrent ankyloglossia, commonly referred to as tongue-tie, after having undergone previous surgical interventions such as frenotomy or frenectomy. The frenoplasty technique often employed is the four-flap Z-plasty, which is designed to effectively address the complications arising from scarring that may occur after earlier surgeries. In this method, four tissue flaps are utilized instead of the traditional two, as the scar tissue typically extends from the floor of the mouth to the posterior aspect of the tongue. The procedure involves creating two triangular flaps in the floor of the mouth and two corresponding flaps on the tongue, each with an angle of approximately 60 degrees. The lateral incisions must match the length of the central incision, which is strategically placed along the existing scar. The surgical technique requires careful undermining of the incision lines, followed by the rotation and suturing of the flaps to restore normal function and appearance of the frenum.
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The frenoplasty procedure is indicated for the following conditions:
The frenoplasty procedure involves several detailed steps to ensure effective surgical revision of the frenum:
After the frenoplasty procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Post-operative care may include instructions on oral hygiene to prevent infection, as well as dietary modifications to ensure comfort during the healing process. Patients can expect some swelling and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed pain relief. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and ensure that the frenum is functioning properly. The expected recovery time may vary, but most patients can resume normal activities within a few days, depending on individual healing responses.
| Short Descr | RECONSTRUCTION TONGUE FOLD | Medium Descr | FRENOPLASTY SURG REVJ FRENUM EG W/Z-PLASTY | Long Descr | Frenoplasty (surgical revision of frenum, eg, with Z-plasty) | 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) | 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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 33 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on nose, mouth and pharynx |
| 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. | 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.) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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