© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Transection or avulsion of the mental nerve, as described by CPT® Code 64736, refers to a surgical procedure that involves severing or removing a portion of the mental nerve. This procedure is typically performed to alleviate chronic pain associated with conditions affecting the nerve. The mental nerve is a significant branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, which is responsible for providing sensory innervation to specific areas of the face. It originates at the mental foramen, a small opening in the mandible, and subsequently divides into three branches that innervate the skin of the chin and the skin and mucous membrane of the lower lip. The surgical approach to accessing the mental nerve can be done either intraorally, through the mouth, or extraorally, through an incision made on the outside of the jaw. In the extraoral approach, an incision is made below and parallel to the angle of the mandible, allowing for exposure of the masseter muscle. This muscle is then split in alignment with its fibers to reveal the lateral surface of the mandible, where the mental nerve can be identified and isolated for transection or avulsion. The procedure may involve grasping the nerve and dividing it proximally, or alternatively, stretching, ligating, and dividing the nerve to facilitate its removal. This surgical intervention is aimed at providing relief from chronic pain by disrupting the nerve's function.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Transection or avulsion of the mental nerve is indicated for the treatment of chronic pain conditions that may be associated with the mental nerve. This procedure is typically considered when conservative management strategies have failed to provide adequate relief. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:
The procedure for transection or avulsion of the mental nerve involves several key steps to ensure proper access and execution. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the transection or avulsion of the mental nerve, post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery. Patients may experience some swelling and discomfort in the surgical area, which can be managed with prescribed pain medications. It is important for patients to follow up with their healthcare provider to monitor for any complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Recovery time may vary, but patients are generally advised to avoid strenuous activities for a period following the procedure. Additionally, patients should be informed about potential changes in sensation in the chin and lower lip area, as these are common outcomes following nerve transection or avulsion.
| Short Descr | INCISION OF CHIN NERVE | Medium Descr | TRANSECTION/AVULSION MENTAL NERVE | Long Descr | Transection or avulsion of; mental nerve | 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) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | 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) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 9 - Other OR therapeutic nervous system procedures |
| 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. | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 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). | 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) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.