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The procedure described by CPT® Code 61619 involves a secondary repair of the dura mater, which is the outermost layer of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord. This repair is specifically indicated for cases where there is a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the anterior, middle, or posterior cranial fossa following surgical interventions on the skull base. Such leaks may occur when the initial closure of the dura fails, often as a result of previous surgeries aimed at tumor resection or the repair of vascular lesions. The secondary repair aims to restore the integrity of the dura to prevent further CSF leakage, which can lead to serious complications, including infection or neurological deficits. In this procedure, a local or regionalized vascularized pedicle flap or myocutaneous flap is utilized, which may involve muscle tissues such as the galea, temporalis, frontalis, or occipitalis. The use of these flaps is crucial as they provide a robust vascular supply to the graft, enhancing healing and reducing the risk of complications. The surgical technique involves careful trimming and placement of a graft, which can be harvested from various tissues or may include synthetic materials, ensuring a watertight closure to effectively manage the CSF leak. This detailed approach underscores the complexity and precision required in neurosurgical procedures aimed at addressing dural defects.
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The secondary repair of the dura for cerebrospinal fluid leak is indicated in the following situations:
The procedure for the secondary repair of the dura involves several critical steps to ensure effective closure and prevention of CSF leakage:
Post-procedure care following the secondary repair of the dura includes monitoring for signs of CSF leakage, infection, and ensuring proper healing of the surgical site. Patients may require imaging studies to assess the integrity of the repair and to confirm that there are no complications. Follow-up visits are essential to evaluate recovery and to manage any potential issues that may arise during the healing process.
| Short Descr | REPAIR DURA | Medium Descr | SEC RPR DURA CSF LEAK LOCAL/REGIONALIZED FLAP | Long Descr | Secondary repair of dura for cerebrospinal fluid leak, anterior, middle or posterior cranial fossa following surgery of the skull base; by local or regionalized vascularized pedicle flap or myocutaneous flap (including galea, temporalis, frontalis or occipitalis muscle) | 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) | 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 | 2 | 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). | 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. | 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 | 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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| 2002-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1994-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1994. |
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