2025 CPT code 26556
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Hand and Fingers Musculoskeletal System Feed
Transfer of a free toe joint with microvascular anastomosis.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure. For example, modifier 51 (multiple procedures) may be used if additional procedures are performed during the same session. Refer to the current CPT manual for modifier usage guidelines.
Medical necessity is established by the significant functional impairment of the affected finger joint due to trauma or congenital condition. The procedure is considered medically necessary when other less invasive options have failed or are not appropriate.
The clinical responsibility includes pre-operative planning, surgical execution of the toe harvest and finger joint preparation (often requiring two surgical teams), microvascular anastomosis, bone grafting, and post-operative care.
- Musculoskeletal System
- Surgical Procedures on the Hand and Fingers; Repair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures
In simple words: The surgeon moves a toe joint to replace a damaged finger joint. This complex surgery involves connecting the toe's blood vessels and nerves to the hand, using a bone graft to secure the new joint.
This procedure involves the transfer of a free toe joint to replace a finger joint, typically due to trauma or congenital deformity.It includes harvesting the toe with its associated blood vessels, nerves, bones, and tendons, followed by transplantation to the hand using microsurgical techniques and a bone graft for fixation. The donor site is closed, often with a skin graft.
Example 1: A patient sustains a severe crush injury to their index finger resulting in the loss of the proximal interphalangeal joint. A free toe-to-hand transfer is performed using 26556., A patient is born with a congenital deformity of the thumb, making it non-functional.A second toe is transferred to replace the thumb using 26556., A patient suffers a severe laceration to their ring finger, resulting in significant joint damage. A free toe joint transfer is performed to restore function using code 26556.
Detailed operative report, including specifics of the toe harvested, microvascular anastomosis details, type of bone graft used, and images (pre- and post-operative).Patient history, including details of the injury or congenital condition necessitating the procedure, should also be documented.
** This procedure is highly complex and requires specialized surgical expertise.Accurate coding requires detailed documentation of all aspects of the procedure.
- Revenue Code: P3D (MAJOR PROCEDURE, ORTHOPEDIC - OTHER)
- RVU: Information not available in provided sources.Consult current fee schedules and relative value unit databases for the most accurate data.
- Global Days: Information not available in provided sources.The global period will vary depending on payer and other factors.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Information not available in provided sources.Consult current coding guidelines and payer specifications for modifier TC applicability.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided sources. Consult relevant fee schedules and historical data for pricing information.
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Microsurgery, Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center