2025 CPT code 20100
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System Surgery Feed
Exploration of penetrating wound (separate procedure); neck.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the service.Examples include modifier 51 (multiple procedures), 76 (repeat procedure by the same physician), and 59 (distinct procedural service).
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a penetrating neck wound requiring exploration to assess for injury to underlying structures and ensure adequate hemostasis and removal of foreign bodies.This is generally a clinically indicated procedure due to the potential for serious complications.
The physician assesses the extent of damage, cleanses and debrides the wound, removes foreign bodies, ligates or coagulates minor vessels, and closes the wound.They are responsible for appropriate wound exploration, foreign body removal and hemostasis.Major vessel repair or other extensive procedures would be the responsibility of the surgeon performing that specific procedure.
In simple words: The doctor examines a penetrating neck wound (like from a stabbing or gunshot) to check for and fix any internal injuries and remove any foreign objects. They clean the wound, remove damaged tissue, and stop any bleeding from small blood vessels.This doesn't involve major surgery like opening the chest or abdomen.
This CPT code encompasses the exploration of a penetrating wound in the neck, involving assessment and repair of internal damage, removal of foreign material, and ligation or coagulation of minor blood vessels.It includes wound enlargement, extension of dissection to determine penetration depth, debridement of damaged tissue, and removal of foreign bodies.The procedure does not involve thoracotomy or laparotomy; repair of major structures or blood vessels requiring these procedures are coded separately.
Example 1: A patient presents with a stab wound to the neck. The physician performs exploration to assess for damage to underlying structures, removes a fragment of clothing, and performs hemostasis on a small bleeding vessel. Code 20100 is appropriate., A patient presents after a gunshot wound to the neck.The physician explores the wound, removes bullet fragments, and addresses minor bleeding. No major vessel repair is needed. Code 20100 is appropriate., A patient presents after an accident resulting in a penetrating neck wound with a foreign body. The physician explores and cleans the wound, removes the foreign object, and controls bleeding.Repair of a major artery requires additional coding.
Detailed description of the wound, extent of exploration, foreign body removal (if applicable), hemostasis techniques, and closure method.Operative report, including size and location of wound, depth of penetration, tissues involved, foreign material description, and repair details.
** Code 20100 is only for exploration of penetrating wounds of the neck that do not require thoracotomy or laparotomy.More extensive procedures require separate coding.
- Revenue Code: P6B (Minor Procedures - Musculoskeletal)
- RVU: Information not available in provided text.Refer to current year's CPT codebook or other relevant fee schedule for RVU data.
- Global Days: Information not available in provided text. Consult CPT guidelines or payer-specific information.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This is not a procedure with a technical component.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in the provided text.Refer to historical CPT fee schedules and relevant payer data.
- Specialties:General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Trauma Surgery
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center