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An anterior discectomy of the cervical spine is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of an intervertebral disc located in the cervical region of the spine. This procedure is performed through a skin incision made in the front (anterior) aspect of the neck. The surgery aims to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots caused by herniated discs or bone spurs (osteophytes). During the operation, the surgeon carefully dissects through the soft tissues and muscles that cover the cervical spine to access the affected area. The trachea and esophagus are gently retracted to provide a clear view of the cervical spine. Once the intervertebral disc is exposed, it is meticulously removed, often with the assistance of a surgical microscope to enhance visibility and precision. Additionally, any bone spurs that may be compressing the nerve roots are excised, along with the ligament that covers the spinal cord. If necessary, a bone graft may be contoured for placement to promote spinal stability, and internal fixation devices may be utilized to further stabilize the spine. After the procedure, the surgeon ensures that any bleeding is controlled before closing the soft tissues and skin in layers. This code, CPT® 63076, is specifically used to report each additional interspace involved in the discectomy, following the primary procedure code.
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The anterior discectomy procedure is indicated for various conditions affecting the cervical spine, particularly when there is evidence of nerve root or spinal cord compression. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The anterior discectomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective decompression of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Following the anterior discectomy, patients are typically monitored in a recovery area until the effects of anesthesia wear off. Post-operative care may include pain management, physical therapy, and instructions for activity restrictions to promote healing. Patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for a specified period. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess recovery and ensure that the surgical site is healing properly. Any signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or neurological deficits, should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.
| Short Descr | NECK SPINE DISK SURGERY | Medium Descr | DISCECTOMY ANT DCMPRN CORD CERVICAL EA NTRSPC | Long Descr | Discectomy, anterior, with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s), including osteophytectomy; cervical, each additional interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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) | 2 - Co-surgeons permitted and no documentation required if the two- specialty requirement is met. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1F - Major procedure - explor/decompr/excis disc | MUE | 3 | CCS Clinical Classification | 3 - Laminectomy, excision intervertebral disc |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 63075 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Discectomy, anterior, with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s), including osteophytectomy; cervical, single interspace |
| AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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. | 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. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 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). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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