2025 CPT code 60522
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Endocrine System Surgery Feed
Thymectomy, partial or total; sternal split or transthoracic approach, with radical mediastinal dissection (separate procedure).
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the surgery.Examples include modifier 22 (increased procedural services) if significant additional work is performed beyond the usual scope of the procedure or modifier 51 (multiple procedures) if performed with other procedures.
Medical necessity for a thymectomy is established by the presence of a thymoma (benign or malignant) or in cases of myasthenia gravis, particularly when symptoms are moderate to severe, or impact respiratory or swallowing function.
The surgeon performs the thymectomy, including the sternotomy or transthoracic approach, removal of the thymus gland and adjacent structures, and the radical mediastinal dissection. Post-operative care, including chest tube insertion and wound closure, is also the responsibility of the surgeon.
In simple words: This surgery removes all or part of the thymus gland, a small gland in the chest. The surgeon makes an incision in the chest to access the gland and removes it along with nearby tissues.A separate procedure is done to remove lymph nodes and other tissues in the chest.
This procedure involves the surgical removal of all or part of the thymus gland.Access is gained via a lengthwise incision through the sternum (sternotomy) or through incisions on one or both sides of the chest (transthoracic approach). The procedure includes the removal of the thymus gland and adjacent mediastinal structures.A radical mediastinal dissection, a separate procedure, is also performed. This involves the removal of lymphatic and non-lymphatic structures in the mediastinum.
Example 1: A 55-year-old patient presents with a thymoma.A thymectomy with radical mediastinal dissection (60522) is performed via a sternotomy. , A 40-year-old patient with myasthenia gravis undergoes a thymectomy (60522) via a transthoracic approach.The procedure includes removal of the thymus gland and adjacent mediastinal tissue., A 62-year-old patient with a large thymoma requiring extensive resection undergoes a thymectomy (60522) with radical mediastinal dissection.A small portion of lung tissue is also resected during the procedure, requiring a separate code from the respiratory section.
Preoperative imaging (CT scan of the chest), operative report detailing the extent of resection, pathology report confirming diagnosis, and postoperative recovery notes.
** The radical mediastinal dissection is considered a separate procedure and should be coded accordingly if performed separately.Thorough documentation is crucial for accurate coding and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A Technical Component (TC) modifier is not applicable to this code as it represents the entire procedure.
- Specialties:Thoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Endocrine Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center