Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
RedactPHI
HIPAA-Compliant PHI Redaction
DetectICD10CM
ICD-10-CM Code Detection
Log in Register free account
1 code page views remaining. Guest accounts are limited to 1 page view. Register free account to get 5 more views.
Log in Register free account

Official Description

Nerve repair; with synthetic conduit or vein allograft (eg, nerve tube), each nerve

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Nerve repair using either a synthetic conduit or vein allograft (commonly referred to as a nerve tube) is a surgical procedure performed on a single nerve, as indicated by CPT® Code 64910. This procedure is necessary when nerve function is compromised due to injury, leading to the degeneration of the distal portion of the nerve. While the proximal nerve segment has the potential to regenerate and restore function, a significant gap between the proximal and distal nerve stumps necessitates the insertion of a graft. This graft serves as a bridge, facilitating the growth of regenerating axons from the proximal stump to the distal stump. The procedure can involve the creation of a biological nerve tube allograft derived from human vein or the placement of an artificial conduit designed to guide nerve regeneration. The synthetic tubular nerve guidance conduits are typically constructed from biocompatible polymers, such as poly-L-lactic acid, and are often enhanced with cultured Schwann cells. Schwann cells are critical as they form the myelin sheath that insulates nerve axons, thereby promoting effective nerve signal transmission. The incorporation of these cells into the synthetic conduit creates an environment conducive to nerve regeneration, directing the growth of nerve fibers in a specific orientation. Alternatively, vein grafts can be harvested, inverted, and sutured between the severed nerve ends. This method utilizes the collagen-rich inner layer of the vein wall, which has been shown to support nerve regeneration effectively. As new capillaries develop within the vein graft, neurites from the proximal nerve stump grow into the graft, facilitating the reconnection of the nerve pathway. It is important to note that for nerve repair using an autogenous vein harvested from the patient, CPT® Code 64911 should be reported instead.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 64910 is indicated for the repair of peripheral nerves that have been severed or damaged, resulting in the loss of nerve function. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:

  • Nerve Injury - Trauma or injury to a peripheral nerve that leads to a gap between the proximal and distal nerve stumps.
  • Degeneration of Nerve Tissue - Loss of function in the distal nerve portion due to degeneration following injury.
  • Insufficient Regeneration - Situations where the proximal nerve segment cannot bridge the gap to the distal segment on its own, necessitating the use of a graft.

2. Procedure

The procedure for nerve repair using CPT® Code 64910 involves several critical steps to ensure successful regeneration of the nerve. Each step is detailed as follows:

  • Step 1: Assessment of Nerve Injury - The surgeon begins by evaluating the extent of the nerve injury and determining the appropriate approach for repair. This may involve imaging studies or direct examination of the nerve.
  • Step 2: Preparation of the Nerve Stumps - The proximal and distal nerve stumps are carefully dissected to ensure clean, healthy tissue is available for the grafting procedure. Any degenerated or necrotic tissue is removed to promote optimal healing.
  • Step 3: Selection of Graft Material - Depending on the specific case, the surgeon will choose either a synthetic conduit or a vein allograft. If a vein allograft is selected, it is harvested from a suitable donor source.
  • Step 4: Insertion of the Graft - The selected graft material is then positioned between the proximal and distal nerve stumps. If using a synthetic conduit, it is placed to create a tubular structure that guides the regenerating axons. In the case of a vein allograft, the vein is inverted and sutured in place to utilize its collagen-rich inner layer.
  • Step 5: Securing the Graft - The graft is meticulously sutured to the nerve stumps to ensure stability and alignment, which is crucial for successful nerve regeneration.
  • Step 6: Closure of the Surgical Site - Once the graft is secured, the surgical site is closed in layers, ensuring that the surrounding tissues are properly aligned and sutured to promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the nerve repair procedure using CPT® Code 64910, patients typically require careful monitoring and follow-up care. Post-procedure care may include pain management, physical therapy, and regular assessments to evaluate nerve function and healing progress. Patients are advised to follow their surgeon's instructions regarding activity restrictions and rehabilitation exercises to optimize recovery. The expected recovery time can vary based on the extent of the injury and the individual patient's healing response. It is essential to monitor for any signs of complications, such as infection or improper healing, during the recovery period.

Short Descr NERVE REPAIR W/ALLOGRAFT
Medium Descr NERVE REPAIR W/CONDUIT EACH NERVE
Long Descr Nerve repair; with synthetic conduit or vein allograft (eg, nerve tube), each 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) 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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 3
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.

0882T New Code for 2024 Add on code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N ASC N1 Intraoperative therapeutic electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve to promote nerve regeneration, including lead placement and removal, upper extremity, minimum of 10 minutes; initial nerve (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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).
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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.
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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.
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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.)
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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
F1 Left hand, second digit
F2 Left hand, third digit
F3 Left hand, fourth digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F5 Right hand, thumb
F6 Right hand, second digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
FA Left hand, thumb
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)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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
Date
Action
Notes
2007-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2007.
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"