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The procedure described by CPT® Code 42809 involves the removal of a foreign body from the pharynx, which is a critical area of the throat situated behind the mouth and nasal cavity. The pharynx is divided into three sections: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx. Each section may harbor foreign objects that can cause discomfort, obstruction, or potential injury. The physician's approach to this procedure is guided by the specific location of the foreign body, which is determined through patient feedback regarding their sensations. For instance, if the foreign body is suspected to be in the nasopharynx, the physician will utilize a nasal approach, employing forceps to extract the object. In cases where the foreign body is located in the oropharynx, a visual inspection is conducted using a tongue depressor, as these objects are often visible and can be easily grasped with forceps. If the sensation indicates that the foreign body is in the hypopharynx, the physician will carefully inspect this area, focusing on critical anatomical landmarks such as the base of the tongue, tonsils, and vallecula, before proceeding to remove the object with forceps. This procedure is essential for alleviating symptoms and preventing further complications associated with foreign body impaction in the pharyngeal region.
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The procedure for the removal of a foreign body from the pharynx is indicated in several scenarios where a patient presents with symptoms suggesting the presence of an obstructive object. These indications include:
The procedure for the removal of a foreign body from the pharynx involves several critical steps, each tailored to the location of the foreign object:
After the removal of the foreign body, the patient may require monitoring for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or swelling in the throat. The physician may provide instructions regarding diet and activity level following the procedure to ensure proper recovery. Patients are typically advised to avoid eating or drinking until they have fully recovered from any anesthesia or sedation used during the procedure. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to ensure that there are no residual effects from the foreign body or the procedure itself.
| Short Descr | REMOVE PHARYNX FOREIGN BODY | Medium Descr | REMOVAL FOREIGN BODY PHARYNX | Long Descr | Removal of foreign body from pharynx | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 010 - 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 | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 229 - Nonoperative removal of foreign body |
| 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). | 54 | Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number. | 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. | 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.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | 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) | 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 | 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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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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