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The procedure described by CPT® Code 60212 refers to a surgical intervention known as a partial thyroid lobectomy, which is performed unilaterally, accompanied by a contralateral subtotal lobectomy that includes the removal of the isthmus. The thyroid gland is an essential endocrine organ located in the neck, consisting of two lobes connected by a central isthmus. This procedure is typically indicated in cases where there is a need to remove diseased thyroid tissue, such as in the presence of a hot nodule that may be contributing to hyperthyroidism. During the surgery, the neck is positioned to provide optimal access, and a transverse incision is made in a natural skin crease to minimize scarring. Careful dissection is performed to expose the thyroid gland while protecting critical structures such as the laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. The surgical approach involves excising part of one lobe of the thyroid, and if necessary, additional tissue from the isthmus and the opposite lobe may also be removed to ensure complete excision of any pathological tissue. The excised tissue is then sent for pathological evaluation to assess for any underlying conditions. Finally, the incision is meticulously closed in layers to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 60212 is indicated for specific conditions affecting the thyroid gland. These include:
The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 60212 involves several critical steps to ensure the safe and effective removal of thyroid tissue. The first step is to position the patient with the neck extended to provide optimal access to the thyroid gland. A transverse skin incision is then made over the thyroid in one of the natural neck creases, which helps to minimize visible scarring. The incision is carefully deepened through the subcutaneous tissue and the platysma muscle, with particular attention paid to protecting the laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands during dissection.
Once the thyroid gland is adequately exposed, the surgeon proceeds to excise part of one of the thyroid lobes. If a wider margin is necessary to ensure the complete removal of diseased tissue, the isthmus connecting the two lobes may also be excised. In the case of CPT® Code 60212, the procedure includes the removal of part of the contralateral lobe in addition to the isthmus and the affected lobe. The excised tissue is then sent to the laboratory for pathological evaluation, which is crucial for determining the presence of any malignancy or other thyroid disorders. After the necessary tissue has been removed, the neck incision is closed in layers to promote proper healing and minimize complications.
Post-procedure care following a partial thyroid lobectomy with contralateral subtotal lobectomy includes monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection. Patients may experience some discomfort and swelling in the neck area, which can be managed with appropriate pain relief measures. It is essential to provide instructions regarding wound care and signs of potential complications that should prompt immediate medical attention. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess the surgical site and to review the results of the pathological evaluation of the excised tissue. Additionally, patients may require monitoring of thyroid hormone levels to ensure proper endocrine function following the removal of thyroid tissue.
| Short Descr | PARTIAL THYROID EXCISION | Medium Descr | PRTL THYROID LOBEC UNI W/CONTRATLAT STOT LOBEC | Long Descr | Partial thyroid lobectomy, unilateral; with contralateral subtotal lobectomy, including isthmusectomy | 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 | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 10 - Thyroidectomy, partial or complete |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 60512 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Parathyroid autotransplantation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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). | 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. | 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) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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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| 1995-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1995. |
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