© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Vertebral corpectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the resection of the vertebral body, which is the main part of a vertebra, along with the intervertebral discs located above and below the affected vertebra. This procedure is typically performed using a lateral extracavitary approach, which allows for better access to the spinal structures while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The primary indications for this type of surgery include the presence of tumors, retropulsed bone fragments due to fractures, severe spinal stenosis, or infections affecting the vertebral body. In many cases, a collaborative surgical team may be involved, with a general or thoracic surgeon handling the exposure of the surgical site and a spine surgeon performing the corpectomy itself. The procedure begins with an incision in the midline of the back, which is then extended laterally to expose the paraspinal muscles. These muscles are carefully elevated to reveal the underlying bony structures, including the spinous processes and laminae. The surgical team may utilize intraoperative imaging to accurately identify the tumor or fracture site, ensuring precise removal of the affected vertebral body and any associated pathological tissue. Following the excision, the surgical site is prepared for any necessary additional procedures, such as bone grafting, spinal fusion, or the placement of internal fixation devices.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Vertebral corpectomy is indicated for several specific conditions that affect the thoracic or lumbar spine. The following are the primary indications for this procedure:
The vertebral corpectomy procedure involves several detailed steps to ensure effective removal of the affected vertebral body and surrounding tissues. Each step is critical for achieving the desired surgical outcome:
Following the vertebral corpectomy, patients typically require careful monitoring and post-operative care to ensure proper recovery. This may include pain management, physical therapy, and follow-up imaging to assess the surgical site. The expected recovery period can vary based on the extent of the surgery and the patient's overall health. Patients may also need to adhere to specific activity restrictions to promote healing and prevent complications. Additionally, any necessary rehabilitation services should be coordinated to support the patient's return to normal function.
| Short Descr | REMOVE VERTEBRAL BODY ADD-ON | Medium Descr | VCRPEC LAT XTRCAVITARY DCMPRN THRC/LMBR EA SEG | Long Descr | Vertebral corpectomy (vertebral body resection), partial or complete, lateral extracavitary approach with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s) (eg, for tumor or retropulsed bone fragments); thoracic or lumbar, each additional segment (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) | 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 | 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.
| 63101 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting Vertebral corpectomy (vertebral body resection), partial or complete, lateral extracavitary approach with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s) (eg, for tumor or retropulsed bone fragments); thoracic, single segment | 63102 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Vertebral corpectomy (vertebral body resection), partial or complete, lateral extracavitary approach with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s) (eg, for tumor or retropulsed bone fragments); lumbar, single segment | 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) |
| 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 | 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. | 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). | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2004-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2004. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.