© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Craniosynostosis is a congenital condition characterized by the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures in infants, which can lead to significant complications. The early closure of these sutures restricts the normal growth of the skull, resulting in increased intracranial pressure and potential impairment of brain development. This condition can manifest as abnormalities in the shape of the head, often requiring surgical intervention to correct. Craniosynostosis can occur in isolation or as part of various syndromes, including Crouzon, Apert, Carpenter, Chotzen, or Pfeiffer syndrome, which may present with additional physical anomalies. The classification of craniosynostosis is divided into simple, where only a single suture is affected, and complex, where multiple sutures are involved. The surgical procedure described by CPT® Code 61559 involves an extensive craniectomy, which is a significant surgical intervention aimed at correcting the deformities associated with multiple cranial suture craniosynostosis. This procedure includes the recontouring of the skull through multiple osteotomies and the use of bone autografts, such as in the barrel-stave technique, to achieve optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes. The process also encompasses the harvesting of grafts, which are essential for reshaping the skull and ensuring proper healing and structural integrity post-surgery.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 61559 is indicated for the treatment of multiple cranial suture craniosynostosis, which may present with the following conditions:
The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 61559 involves several critical steps to effectively address craniosynostosis:
Post-procedure care following an extensive craniectomy for craniosynostosis includes monitoring for any complications, managing pain, and ensuring proper healing of the surgical site. Patients may require follow-up visits to assess the healing process and the cosmetic outcome of the surgery. It is essential to provide appropriate wound care instructions to the caregivers and to monitor the infant's neurological status to ensure that there are no adverse effects from the surgery. Recovery time may vary, and the healthcare team will provide guidance on activity restrictions and any necessary rehabilitation services to support the child's development.
| Short Descr | EXCISION OF SKULL/SUTURES | Medium Descr | XTN CRNEC MLT SUTR CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS W/BONE GRAFT | Long Descr | Extensive craniectomy for multiple cranial suture craniosynostosis (eg, cloverleaf skull); recontouring with multiple osteotomies and bone autografts (eg, barrel-stave procedure) (includes obtaining grafts) | 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 | 9 - Other OR therapeutic nervous system procedures |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 69990 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Restricted APC N ASC N1 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article 1Microsurgical techniques, requiring use of operating microscope (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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. |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 1991-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1991. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.