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An anterior discectomy of the thoracic spine is a surgical procedure aimed at relieving pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots caused by herniated intervertebral discs or other spinal pathologies. This procedure is performed through a thoracic approach, which necessitates a thoracotomy, allowing surgeons to access the thoracic spine directly. Typically, this operation involves a collaborative effort between a thoracic surgeon, who is responsible for the exposure of the surgical site, and a spine surgeon, who performs the discectomy itself. The procedure begins with an incision in the skin over the thorax, followed by dissection of the overlying muscles and resection of a rib to facilitate adequate exposure of the affected spinal area. Once the thoracic spine is accessible, the intervertebral disc is carefully removed, often with the assistance of a surgical microscope to enhance precision. Additionally, any osteophytes, or 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 discectomy is completed, the surgical team ensures that any bleeding is controlled, a chest tube is placed to manage any potential fluid accumulation, and the thorax is meticulously closed in layers to promote optimal healing. This code, CPT® 63078, is specifically used to report each additional interspace involved in the procedure, following the primary procedure code.
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The anterior discectomy of the thoracic spine is indicated for various conditions that may cause compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. These indications include:
The procedure for anterior discectomy of the thoracic spine involves several critical steps, which are outlined as follows:
Post-procedure care following an anterior discectomy of the thoracic spine includes monitoring for any complications, managing pain, and ensuring proper recovery. Patients may require a period of hospitalization for observation, especially if a chest tube has been placed. Rehabilitation may be necessary to restore strength and mobility, and patients are typically advised on activity restrictions to prevent strain on the surgical site. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and address any ongoing symptoms or concerns.
| Short Descr | SPINE DISK SURGERY THORAX | Medium Descr | DISCECTOMY ANT DCMPRN CORD THORACIC EA NTRSPC | Long Descr | Discectomy, anterior, with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s), including osteophytectomy; thoracic, 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 | Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS | 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.
| 63077 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Discectomy, anterior, with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s), including osteophytectomy; thoracic, single interspace |
| 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. | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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