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Official Description

Laminectomy for excision of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, intradural; lumbar

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 63272 refers to a laminectomy performed specifically for the excision of a non-neoplastic intraspinal lesion located within the dura mater in the lumbar region of the spine. Non-neoplastic intraspinal lesions can arise from various causes, including infectious agents such as tuberculosis, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, bacteria, or parasites. Additionally, non-infectious lesions may occur due to conditions like sarcoidosis, multiple sclerosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Inflammatory lesions, which can result from idiopathic necrotizing processes or radiation myelopathy, also fall under this category. During the laminectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the skin over the lumbar area, extending down to the spinous processes, to access the affected region. The procedure involves retracting the muscle away from the lamina and facet joint, utilizing a bone drill to remove part or all of the lamina, thereby exposing the spinal cord. The surgeon then identifies the lesion within the dura mater, incises the dura over the lesion, and explores the extent of the lesion. A tissue sample may be collected for pathology examination to determine the nature of the lesion. Once identified, the lesion is meticulously dissected from surrounding tissues using an operating microscope and removed completely. This procedure is critical for addressing various non-neoplastic conditions affecting the intraspinal space, thereby alleviating symptoms and preventing further complications.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The laminectomy for excision of an intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, intradural, is indicated for various conditions that involve non-neoplastic lesions within the lumbar region. These indications include:

  • Infectious Lesions - Conditions caused by infectious agents such as tuberculosis, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, bacteria, or parasites.
  • Non-Infectious Lesions - Lesions resulting from diseases such as sarcoidosis, multiple sclerosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Inflammatory Lesions - Lesions that may arise from idiopathic necrotizing processes or radiation myelopathy.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 63272 involves several critical steps to ensure the safe and effective excision of the intraspinal lesion:

  • Step 1: Incision - The surgeon begins by making an incision in the skin over the lumbar region, which is the area of the spine where the lesion is located. This incision is extended down to the spinous processes to provide adequate access to the underlying structures.
  • Step 2: Muscle Retraction - Once the incision is made, the muscle tissue is carefully retracted away from the lamina and facet joint to expose the bony structures of the spine. This step is crucial for gaining access to the lamina, which will be removed during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Bone Removal - A bone drill is utilized to remove part or all of the lamina, which is the bony arch of the vertebra. This removal allows for direct visualization of the spinal cord and the intraspinal lesion.
  • Step 4: Exposure of the Lesion - With the lamina removed, the spinal cord is exposed, and the surgeon identifies the lesion located within the dura mater. This identification is essential for the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 5: Dura Incision - The dura mater, which is the protective covering of the spinal cord, is incised over the site of the lesion. This incision allows the surgeon to access the lesion directly.
  • Step 6: Exploration and Sampling - The extent of the lesion is explored, and if necessary, a tissue sample may be obtained for pathology examination. This step is important for determining the nature of the lesion and guiding further treatment.
  • Step 7: Lesion Dissection and Removal - Once the lesion is fully explored, the surgeon carefully dissects it away from the surrounding tissue using an operating microscope. This meticulous dissection ensures that the lesion is completely free from surrounding structures before removal.
  • Step 8: Complete Excision - After the lesion is completely dissected from the surrounding tissue, it is removed from the body. This step concludes the surgical intervention, aiming to alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications associated with the lesion.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the laminectomy for excision of the intraspinal lesion, patients typically require monitoring for any immediate postoperative complications. Expected recovery may involve pain management, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments to assess healing and the effectiveness of the procedure. The surgical site will need to be kept clean and dry, and patients may be advised to limit certain activities to promote healing. Additionally, the results of any pathology examinations performed on tissue samples will be discussed in follow-up visits, guiding further management if necessary.

Short Descr EXCISE INTRSPINL LESION LMBR
Medium Descr LAM EXC ISPI LES OTH/THN NEO IDRL LUMBAR
Long Descr Laminectomy for excision of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, intradural; lumbar
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) 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 1
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.

22840 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Posterior non-segmental instrumentation (eg, Harrington rod technique, pedicle fixation across 1 interspace, atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation, sublaminar wiring at C1, facet screw fixation) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22841 Addon Code MPFS Status: Bundled Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Internal spinal fixation by wiring of spinous processes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22842 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Posterior segmental instrumentation (eg, pedicle fixation, dual rods with multiple hooks and sublaminar wires); 3 to 6 vertebral segments (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22843 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Posterior segmental instrumentation (eg, pedicle fixation, dual rods with multiple hooks and sublaminar wires); 7 to 12 vertebral segments (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22844 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Posterior segmental instrumentation (eg, pedicle fixation, dual rods with multiple hooks and sublaminar wires); 13 or more vertebral segments (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22845 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Anterior instrumentation; 2 to 3 vertebral segments (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22846 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Anterior instrumentation; 4 to 7 vertebral segments (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22847 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Anterior instrumentation; 8 or more vertebral segments (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22848 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Pelvic fixation (attachment of caudal end of instrumentation to pelvic bony structures) other than sacrum (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22853 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Insertion of interbody biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to intervertebral disc space in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22854 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Insertion of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to vertebral corpectomy(ies) (vertebral body resection, partial or complete) defect, in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each contiguous defect (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
22859 CPT Add On CPT Resequenced MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Insertion of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh, methylmethacrylate) to intervertebral disc space or vertebral body defect without interbody arthrodesis, each contiguous defect (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
63295 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Osteoplastic reconstruction of dorsal spinal elements, following primary intraspinal procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient 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.
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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