2025 CPT code 26356
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Repair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Hand and Fingers Surgery Feed
Primary repair or advancement of a flexor tendon in zone 2 of the digital flexor tendon sheath (no man's land), without a free graft.This code is reported for each tendon repaired.
Modifiers may be used to indicate specific fingers (FA-F9), the side of the body (LT or RT), or other circumstances impacting the service. Be sure to check payer guidelines on their requirements.
Medical necessity is established by documenting the functional impairment caused by the tendon injury, impacting the patient's ability to use their hand effectively. The primary repair aims to restore hand function and prevent long-term disability.
The surgeon performs the procedure under appropriate anesthesia. They make an incision to access the tendon, repair the laceration using sutures, control bleeding, and close the surgical wound in layers.
In simple words: This procedure repairs a cut or injured tendon in the finger. The surgeon accesses the tendon through an incision in the palm and finger, taking care to avoid damaging surrounding structures.The damaged tendon is then stitched back together. This is done for each injured tendon.
This code describes a surgical procedure involving the repair or advancement of a flexor tendon located within zone 2 of the digital flexor tendon sheath, often referred to as "no man's land." This procedure is considered a primary repair, meaning it is typically performed soon after the initial injury. It does not include the use of a free graft. The code is reported for each individual tendon repaired.
Example 1: A patient sustains a deep cut to their middle finger while using a knife, severing the flexor tendon. The surgeon performs a primary repair of the flexor tendon using 26356., A patient presents with a ruptured flexor tendon in their index finger due to a sports injury. The surgeon performs a primary repair without a graft, using 26356., A child accidentally cuts their thumb while playing, resulting in a severed flexor tendon. The surgeon performs a primary repair of the tendon, reporting 26356.
Documentation should include details of the injury, the location and extent of the tendon damage, the type of repair performed, and any complications encountered.
** The "zone 2" refers to a specific anatomical area of the finger, commonly called "no man's land" due to the complexity of tendon repairs in this area.Be sure to append the appropriate F modifier (FA-F9) to denote the specific finger operated upon.
- Global Days : 90 days
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: No TC modifier applies to this code as it includes both the technical and professional components.
- Specialties:Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient Department, Physician's Office