2025 CPT code 32673
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System Surgery Feed
Thoracoscopic resection of the thymus, unilateral or bilateral.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure (e.g., 59 for distinct procedural service, 78 for unplanned return to the operating room).
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a thymoma, thymic cyst, or myasthenia gravis. The procedure is deemed medically necessary to resect the mass or to alleviate the symptoms associated with the underlying condition.
The surgeon is responsible for the entire procedure, including making incisions, inserting instruments, resecting the thymus, suturing, and inserting a chest tube.
In simple words: This surgery uses a small camera and instruments inserted through small cuts in the chest to remove part or all of the thymus gland, a part of the immune system located near the heart.It may be done to remove tumors or cysts.
Surgical thoracoscopy with resection of the thymus gland, performed unilaterally or bilaterally. This procedure involves visualizing the chest cavity and the thymus gland to remove one or both lobes.The surgeon makes an incision in the chest, inserts a trocar (port) to hold instruments, and inserts an endoscope with a video camera to visualize the thymus. Additional trocars are used to insert instruments for excision. The superior lobe of the thymus is excised from the thyroid and pericardium. The area is sutured, trocars and endoscope are removed, and a chest tube is inserted for drainage.
Example 1: A 45-year-old male presents with a palpable mass in the anterior mediastinum. Imaging reveals a thymoma.A thoracoscopic thymectomy (32673) is performed to resect the mass. Intraoperative pathology confirms thymoma., A 60-year-old female with myasthenia gravis undergoes a bilateral thoracoscopic thymectomy (32673). Both lobes of the thymus are resected. Postoperative recovery is uneventful., A 20-year-old male with a cystic lesion in the anterior mediastinum undergoes a unilateral thoracoscopic thymectomy (32673). The cyst is excised, and the pathology report is consistent with a benign thymic cyst.
Preoperative imaging (CT scan, MRI), operative report detailing the extent of resection, pathology report confirming the diagnosis, and postoperative chest x-ray.
** This code is used for thoracoscopic thymectomy and does not include open procedures.Careful documentation is crucial for accurate coding and reimbursement.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Thoracic Surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital