2025 CPT code 23172
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Musculoskeletal System Feed
Sequestrectomy (e.g., for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), scapula
Modifiers may be applicable to indicate specific circumstances, such as increased procedural services (22), bilateral procedures (50), or multiple procedures (51). Modifiers applicable according to the source for CPT code 23575 are : Modifier 22 - Increased Procedural Services, Modifier 24 - Unrelated Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician During a Postoperative Period, Modifier 25 - Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service, Modifier 50 - Bilateral Procedure, Modifier 51 - Multiple Procedures, Modifier 52 - Reduced Services.
Medical necessity for sequestrectomy is established by the presence of osteomyelitis or a bone abscess in the scapula that has not responded to conservative treatment. The presence of a sequestrum, confirmed by imaging studies, further supports the medical necessity of surgical intervention.
The surgeon makes an incision over the scapula, dissects down to the bone, creates an opening to access the sequestrum, removes it and any surrounding infected tissue, irrigates the area with antibiotic solution, may insert a drain, and closes the incision.
In simple words: This procedure removes a piece of dead bone from your shoulder blade. This is usually done because of an infection in the bone.
Surgical removal of a sequestrum (a piece of dead bone) from the scapula, typically due to osteomyelitis (bone infection) or a bone abscess.
Example 1: A patient with chronic osteomyelitis of the scapula undergoes sequestrectomy to remove the dead bone and infected tissue., A patient with a bone abscess in the scapula undergoes sequestrectomy to remove the infected bone and drain the abscess., Following a fracture of the scapula, a patient develops osteomyelitis requiring sequestrectomy.
Documentation should include the diagnosis of osteomyelitis or bone abscess, the location of the sequestrum in the scapula, the surgical technique used for sequestrectomy, and any associated procedures performed, such as debridement or drainage of an abscess. Imaging studies confirming the diagnosis should also be included.
- Revenue Code: P5B
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center