2025 CPT code 63266
Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Feed
Laminectomy for excision or evacuation of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, extradural; thoracic.
Modifiers such as 22 (Increased Procedural Services), 51 (Multiple Procedures), 59 (Distinct Procedural Service), and others may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Refer to modifier guidelines for correct usage.
Medical necessity must be established by documenting the patient's symptoms, neurological findings, and the failure of conservative treatment options. The documentation must show that the procedure is necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient's condition and is consistent with generally accepted standards of medical practice.
The surgeon performs the surgical procedure, including incision, dissection, lesion removal, and wound closure.
In simple words: This surgery removes a non-cancerous growth from outside the spinal cord in the upper back. The surgeon makes an incision in the back, removes a small part of the spinal bone to access the growth, removes the growth, and closes the incision.
This procedure involves the removal or evacuation of an extradural growth in the thoracic spine.The surgeon makes an incision in the middle of the back, dissects through the tissue, and retracts the soft tissues and muscles to access the spinal cord. A portion of the thoracic vertebra called the lamina is removed to expose the lesion on the dura. The lesion is then excised or evacuated, and any excess fluid or blood is drained. The wound is closed in layers and covered with a sterile dressing.
Example 1: A patient presents with an epidural hematoma (a blood clot outside the spinal cord) in the thoracic spine causing compression of the spinal cord. A laminectomy (63266) is performed to remove the hematoma and relieve the pressure., A patient has an extradural abscess (a pocket of infection) in the thoracic spine causing pain and neurological symptoms. A laminectomy (63266) is performed to drain the abscess and remove infected tissue., A patient has a non-cancerous extradural cyst in the thoracic spine that is causing spinal cord compression. A laminectomy (63266) is performed to remove the cyst and decompress the spinal cord.
Documentation should include the operative report detailing the procedure, the size and location of the lesion, the approach used, and any complications encountered. Pre- and post-operative imaging reports should also be included, along with any evidence of medical necessity, such as documentation of the patient's symptoms and failed conservative treatments.
** This code is specifically for extradural, non-neoplastic lesions. For neoplasms or intradural lesions, different codes apply. Always ensure accurate documentation to support the medical necessity of the procedure.
- Revenue Code: P1G - Major Procedure - Other
- Global Days: Information not found in the context.
- Modifier TC rule: Information not found in the context.
- Fee Schedule: Information not found in the context.
- Specialties:Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center