In simple words: The doctor removes a small part of an infected bone, often in the collarbone area (clavicle) or upper arm to treat an infection or abscess. This might involve creating a shallow, bowl-shaped area for drainage.A sample of the bone is sent to the lab for testing.A drain is often placed to remove any remaining fluid.

This CPT code encompasses the partial excision of bone, specifically addressing procedures such as craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy.These techniques are often employed to address conditions like osteomyelitis (bone infection) or abscesses. The procedure involves making an incision to access the affected bone, excising the infected or diseased portion while preserving healthy bone tissue.The resulting cavity may be saucer-shaped (saucerization) or crater-shaped (craterization) to facilitate drainage.If a significant portion of the bone shaft (diaphysis) is removed, it's termed a diaphysectomy. The excised tissue is sent for pathological analysis, and a drainage tube may be placed. The surgical site is then irrigated, hemostasis is achieved, instruments are removed, and the incision is closed.This code specifically references the clavicle as an example bone location, but it can apply to other bones based on clinical context.

Example 1: A patient presents with chronic osteomyelitis in their left clavicle.After failing conservative management, the surgeon performs a partial clavicular resection (saucerization) to remove the infected bone and facilitate drainage. A culture is sent to the lab, and a drain is placed. Post-operative antibiotics are prescribed., A patient sustains a compound fracture of the humerus with significant bone loss. During open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), the surgeon performs a diaphysectomy of the humerus to remove necrotic bone fragments and stabilize the fracture. The wound is irrigated, a drain is placed, and the fracture is fixed with plates and screws., A patient presents with a painful bone abscess in the proximal humerus. The surgeon performs a partial bone excision (craterization) to remove the infected bone tissue. The cavity is irrigated, and a drain is left in place. The patient is started on intravenous antibiotics. A sample of the excised bone is sent to pathology.

* Preoperative diagnosis and imaging studies (e.g., X-ray, CT scan, MRI) demonstrating the extent of bone involvement.* Operative report detailing the surgical technique (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy), amount of bone removed, and placement of any drains.* Pathology report confirming the diagnosis and assessing the margins of resection.* Postoperative notes documenting the patient's recovery and any complications.

** The code 23180 may be used in conjunction with other codes to fully capture the services rendered, such as codes for bone grafting, wound closure, or drainage placement.Always verify the appropriateness of all codes based on individual patient circumstances and the most up-to-date coding guidelines.