2025 CPT code 27638
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Excision Procedures on the Leg (Tibia and Fibula) and Ankle Joint Musculoskeletal System Feed
Excision or curettage of bone cyst or benign tumor, tibia or fibula; with allograft.
Modifiers can be applied to this code to indicate specific circumstances, such as increased procedural services (modifier 22), bilateral procedures (modifier 50), or multiple procedures (modifier 51). Modifier 62 can be appended if the procedure is performed by two surgeons as co-surgeons.
The procedure is medically necessary when the bone cyst or benign tumor is causing symptoms such as pain, swelling, or functional limitations.It can also be necessary to prevent pathological fractures or to treat a fracture that has already occurred due to the weakened bone.
The surgeon makes an incision, exposes the bone, removes the cyst or tumor, and then places the allograft into the cavity. The wound is then closed. The procedure requires knowledge of surgical techniques, bone anatomy, and the use of allografts.
In simple words: The doctor removes a non-cancerous growth or cyst from your shin bone (tibia) or the smaller bone in your lower leg (fibula). They then use donated bone tissue to fill the space and help it heal.
This procedure involves the removal of a bone cyst or benign tumor from the tibia or fibula using curettage (scraping) or excision (cutting out), followed by filling the resulting cavity with an allograft (bone tissue from a donor).The allograft helps to promote bone healing and structural support.
Example 1: A 15-year-old patient presents with a painful unicameral bone cyst in the proximal tibia. The cyst is causing discomfort and limiting athletic activities. After imaging studies, the surgeon decides to perform a curettage and allograft procedure (27638) to resolve the cyst and prevent a pathological fracture., A 40-year-old patient has a benign giant cell tumor of the distal fibula. The tumor is causing pain and swelling. The surgeon performs an excision of the tumor and fills the defect with an allograft to maintain bone stability and promote healing., A 60-year-old patient with a history of a non-ossifying fibroma in the tibia experiences a pathological fracture through the weakened bone. The surgeon performs an excision of the lesion and reconstructs the area with an allograft, along with internal fixation, to stabilize the fracture and facilitate healing.
Preoperative imaging studies (X-ray, MRI, CT scan) confirming the diagnosis and location of the bone cyst or tumor.Operative report detailing the surgical technique (curettage or excision), size and type of the lesion, type of allograft used, and any additional procedures performed (e.g., internal fixation).Pathology report confirming the diagnosis of the excised lesion.Postoperative care plan.
- Revenue Code: P5B: AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - MUSCULOSKELETAL
- Payment Status: Active