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2025 CPT code 60520

Partial or total thymectomy via a transcervical approach (separate procedure).

Code 60520 is specifically for a transcervical approach. If a different approach, such as sternotomy or thoracoscopic, is used, a different code should be reported. If a cervical mediastinoscopy is performed, it should be reported separately.

Modifiers may be applicable in certain situations. For instance, modifier 22 may be used for increased procedural services, modifier 51 for multiple procedures, or modifier 53 for discontinued procedures.

Medical necessity for 60520 is established by the presence of a thymoma, regardless of its malignancy or by moderate to severe myasthenia gravis refractory to medical management.

In simple words: The surgeon removes part or all of the thymus gland in your neck through an incision. This is often done to treat thymomas (tumors on the thymus gland). Sometimes, the surgeon might need to make another cut in your chest to remove all of the thymus or nearby fatty tissue.

This procedure involves the surgical removal of either a portion or all of the thymus gland through an incision in the lower neck. After appropriate preparation and anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision across the lower neck and creates skin flaps to access the thymus gland. The surgeon then removes the designated portion of the thymus. If necessary, the patient may be repositioned or an additional incision in the chest may be created to allow for better access if removal of surrounding fatty tissue is required. The surgical site is inspected for any residual thymic tissue, closed in layers, and a sterile dressing applied.

Example 1: A 45-year-old patient presents with a thymoma (tumor of the thymus gland) discovered on a chest CT scan. The surgeon performs a transcervical thymectomy (60520) to remove the tumor and part of the thymus gland. , A 50-year-old patient with myasthenia gravis undergoes a transcervical thymectomy as part of their treatment plan. Although the patient doesn't have a thymoma, the thymus gland's removal can help improve symptoms by reducing the production of antibodies that attack the neuromuscular junction., A 25-year-old patient with a large, multi-lobulated thymoma extending into the neck undergoes a transcervical thymectomy. Due to the tumor size, the surgeon also creates a sternotomy incision to completely remove all thymic tissue and associated lymph nodes.

Documentation should include operative report detailing the surgical approach (transcervical), the extent of the thymectomy (partial or total), any associated procedures (e.g. lymph node dissection), and the diagnosis necessitating the procedure (e.g. thymoma, myasthenia gravis). Pre-operative imaging results and pathology reports should also be included.

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