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Official Description

Orbitocranial approach to anterior cranial fossa, extradural, including supraorbital ridge osteotomy and elevation of frontal and/or temporal lobe(s); without orbital exenteration

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 61584 describes a surgical procedure known as the orbitocranial approach to the anterior cranial fossa, which is performed extradurally. This approach is utilized primarily for accessing the anterior cranial fossa to address various medical conditions, including the resection of malignant tumors, treatment of infectious diseases, and management of traumatic injuries affecting the orbit and paranasal sinuses. Notably, this procedure is conducted without orbital exenteration, which is the complete removal of the periorbita, eyeball, eyelids, and surrounding skin. The surgical technique involves a careful incision of the scalp, which is strategically placed along the inferior border of the zygomatic arch and extended in a curved manner to meet the contralateral midpupillary line behind the hairline. This meticulous approach allows for the elevation of the frontal and/or temporal lobes while preserving the integrity of the orbit. The procedure is complex and requires a thorough understanding of the anatomical structures involved, as well as the surgical techniques necessary to achieve optimal exposure and access to the targeted areas of the cranial fossa.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The orbitocranial approach to the anterior cranial fossa, as described by CPT® Code 61584, is indicated for several specific medical conditions and scenarios. These include:

  • Resection of Malignant Tumors - This procedure may be performed to remove cancerous growths located in the anterior cranial fossa.
  • Treatment of Infectious Diseases - It can be utilized to address infections that affect the structures within the anterior cranial fossa.
  • Management of Traumatic Injuries - The approach is also indicated for treating traumatic injuries to the orbit and paranasal sinuses.

2. Procedure

The orbitocranial approach involves several detailed procedural steps, which are as follows:

  • Step 1: Scalp Incision - The procedure begins with an incision made along the inferior border of the zygomatic arch. This incision is extended upward and forward in a curved manner to intersect at the contralateral midpupillary line, ensuring it remains behind the hairline for cosmetic considerations.
  • Step 2: Elevation of Frontal Periosteum - Following the incision, the frontal periosteum is elevated in a separate layer while remaining attached to the underlying bone. This step is crucial for accessing deeper structures without compromising the integrity of the periosteum.
  • Step 3: Exposure of Subgaleal Fat Pad - The subgaleal fat pad is exposed, allowing for the elevation of the temporalis fascia, muscle, and periosteal flap together with the scalp. This elevation extends from the inferior aspect of the scalp incision to the superior temporal bone.
  • Step 4: Creation of Fascial Cuff - A fascial cuff may be created to facilitate the later reapproximation of the temporalis muscle layer, ensuring proper closure and healing.
  • Step 5: Mobilization of Temporalis Muscle - The temporalis muscle is carefully elevated from the periosteum of the underlying bone, allowing for better access to the lateral orbit.
  • Step 6: Retraction of Myofascial Flap - The mobilized myofascial flap is retracted inferiorly to expose the frontozygomatic suture, which is essential for the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 7: Periorbital Dissection - The periorbita is freed along the supralateral orbit, including the supraorbital notch medially and the frontozygomatic suture laterally. This dissection is initiated near the lacrimal gland and continues from the inferior orbital fissure laterally to the supraorbital notch medially.
  • Step 8: Osteotomy of Supraorbital Ridge - After exposing the supraorbital ridge, an osteotome or rongeur is utilized to thin or contour the bone, enhancing exposure of the orbit for the definitive procedure.
  • Step 9: Elevation of Frontal and/or Temporal Lobes - The final step involves the elevation of the frontal and/or temporal lobe(s) to complete the procedure, ensuring that it is performed without orbital exenteration.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the orbitocranial approach includes monitoring for any complications related to the surgical site, such as infection or hematoma formation. Patients may require pain management and should be observed for neurological function to ensure that there are no adverse effects from the surgery. Recovery may involve follow-up imaging studies to assess the surgical outcome and ensure that the targeted conditions have been adequately addressed. Additionally, specific instructions regarding activity restrictions and wound care will be provided to promote optimal healing.

Short Descr ORBITOCRANIAL APPROACH/SKULL
Medium Descr ORBITOCRANIAL ANT CRANIAL FOSSA W/O ORBIT EXNTJ
Long Descr Orbitocranial approach to anterior cranial fossa, extradural, including supraorbital ridge osteotomy and elevation of frontal and/or temporal lobe(s); without orbital exenteration
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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) 2 - Team surgeons permitted; pay by report.
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 1 - Incision and excision of CNS

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)
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.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
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.)
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).
AG Primary physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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)
Date
Action
Notes
1994-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1994.
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