Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
RedactPHI
HIPAA-Compliant PHI Redaction
DetectICD10CM
ICD-10-CM Code Detection
Log in Register free account
1 code page views remaining. Guest accounts are limited to 1 page view. Register free account to get 5 more views.
Log in Register free account

Official Description

Suture of esophageal wound or injury; cervical approach

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 43410 refers to the surgical procedure for the suture of an esophageal wound or injury, specifically approached through the cervical region. This procedure is indicated when there is a need to repair damage to the cervical esophagus, which is the portion of the esophagus located in the neck. The surgical intervention involves making an incision in the neck, strategically positioned anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This incision is made between the thyroid gland and the trachea medially, while the carotid sheath is located laterally. During the procedure, critical structures such as the internal jugular vein and carotid artery are identified and carefully retracted laterally to provide adequate access to the esophagus. This approach is distinct from other methods, such as the thoracic or abdominal approaches described in CPT® Code 43415, which involve different surgical techniques and access points for repairing esophageal injuries. The cervical approach is specifically tailored for injuries located in the upper segment of the esophagus, allowing for direct access and repair of the affected area.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 43410 is indicated for the repair of wounds or injuries to the cervical esophagus. Such injuries may arise from various causes, including trauma, surgical complications, or pathological conditions affecting the esophagus. The need for surgical intervention is typically determined based on the severity and location of the injury, as well as the patient's overall clinical condition.

  • Trauma Wounds resulting from blunt or penetrating trauma to the neck that compromise the integrity of the cervical esophagus.
  • Surgical Complications Injuries that occur as a result of previous surgical procedures involving the neck or esophagus.
  • Pathological Conditions Conditions such as malignancies or infections that may lead to structural damage to the cervical esophagus.

2. Procedure

The procedure for suturing an esophageal wound or injury via the cervical approach involves several critical steps to ensure effective repair and minimize complications.

  • Step 1: The surgical team begins by positioning the patient appropriately to provide optimal access to the cervical region. Anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient is comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
  • Step 2: An incision is made in the neck, specifically anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This incision is carefully placed between the thyroid gland and the trachea medially, and the carotid sheath laterally, to avoid damaging surrounding structures.
  • Step 3: Once the incision is made, the internal jugular vein and carotid artery are identified. These vessels are gently retracted laterally to provide clear access to the cervical esophagus.
  • Step 4: After gaining access, the surgeon inspects the esophageal wound or injury. Any ragged edges of the wound are trimmed to facilitate a clean repair.
  • Step 5: The wound is then meticulously sutured closed, ensuring that the esophageal integrity is restored and that there is no leakage at the repair site.
  • Step 6: Finally, the incision in the neck is closed in layers, and appropriate dressings are applied to promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure, the patient is monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or leakage from the repair site. Post-operative care may include pain management, dietary modifications, and follow-up appointments to assess healing. The patient may be advised to avoid certain activities that could strain the surgical site during the initial recovery period. The healthcare team will provide specific instructions tailored to the patient's needs to ensure optimal recovery and healing.

Short Descr REPAIR ESOPHAGUS WOUND
Medium Descr SUTR ESOPHGL WND/INJ CRV APPR
Long Descr Suture of esophageal wound or injury; cervical approach
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) 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 94 - Other OR upper GI therapeutic 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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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.
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.)
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).
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)
Date
Action
Notes
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"