2025 CPT code 63081
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Surgery Feed
Anterior cervical vertebral corpectomy with decompression of the spinal cord and/or nerve root(s) at a single level.
Modifiers 59 (distinct procedural service), 62 (two surgeons), and potentially others depending on the circumstances, may be applicable.Consult the CPT manual for detailed information on modifier use.
Medical necessity for this procedure would be established by the presence of symptomatic cervical spinal stenosis, trauma causing vertebral body compression, or other conditions causing significant compromise of the spinal cord or nerve roots.Conservative treatments must be documented as having failed to provide relief.
The surgeon performs the anterior approach corpectomy, removing the specified vertebral segment and decompressing the spinal cord and/or nerve root(s). This may also include the removal of discs above and below the vertebra, insertion of bone grafts, and placement of plates for spinal stabilization.Post-operative care is also the responsibility of the surgeon.
In simple words: The doctor removes part or all of a vertebra in the neck from the front, relieving pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This may involve removing damaged bone, discs, and then using bone grafts and plates to stabilize the spine.
This procedure involves the surgical removal of a portion or all of a cervical vertebra via an anterior approach.The surgeon decompresses the spinal cord and/or nerve roots at a single level in the neck. This may involve removing diseased or damaged portions of the vertebral bone to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.The procedure may also include removal of intervertebral discs and insertion of bone grafts and/or metal plates for stabilization.
Example 1: A patient presents with severe cervical spinal stenosis causing myelopathy (spinal cord compression). An anterior cervical corpectomy at C5 is performed to decompress the spinal cord.A bone graft and plate are used for fusion., A patient with a cervical fracture causing spinal cord compression requires an anterior cervical corpectomy at C4-C5. The surgeon removes the damaged vertebral bodies and performs decompression, followed by stabilization with a bone graft and instrumentation., A patient experiences progressive weakness and numbness in their arms due to cervical spondylosis. The surgeon performs an anterior cervical corpectomy at C6, removing the diseased vertebral body and performing decompression. The spine is stabilized with a bone graft and screws.
Preoperative imaging (MRI, CT), operative report detailing the levels operated on and any complications, pathology report if applicable, postoperative imaging and neurological exam.Complete medical history including symptoms, neurological examination findings, and previous treatments.
** This code is for a single-level corpectomy.Multiple-level procedures require separate coding for each level. The definition of "partial" corpectomy varies depending on spinal level (at least half the vertebral body in the cervical spine, and at least one-third in the thoracic and lumbar spine).
- Revenue Code: P1F (MAJOR PROCEDURE - EXPLOR/DECOMPR/EXCISDISC)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This code represents the entire procedure.
- Specialties:Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center