2025 CPT code 61557
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Feed
Craniotomy for craniosynostosis; bifrontal bone flap
Modifiers may be applicable to 61557 based on specific circumstances, such as increased procedural services (modifier 22), multiple procedures (modifier 51), or reduced services (modifier 52). Refer to current CPT guidelines for modifier usage.
Medical necessity for CPT 61557 must be supported by documentation of craniosynostosis diagnosis, its impact on brain development or other functions, and expected benefits of surgical intervention. This could include imaging studies demonstrating abnormal skull shape or restricted brain growth, or clinical findings such as developmental delays.
The surgeon is responsible for the entire surgical procedure, from incision to closure, including bone flap creation, reshaping, and securing, as well as scalp suturing.
In simple words: The surgeon makes an incision across the head, opens the skull to access the brain, reshapes the skull bones to correct their abnormal shape due to the bones fusing too soon, and then closes the incision.
This procedure involves creating a bifrontal bone flap through an ear-to-ear incision to reshape the skull. It's performed to correct craniosynostosis, a condition characterized by prematurely fused cranial sutures.The surgeon makes an incision, creates and removes the bone flap, reshapes the skull bones, and secures them in place. The scalp is then sutured and dressed.
Example 1: A newborn infant is diagnosed with sagittal craniosynostosis, resulting in an elongated and narrow skull. CPT code 61557 is used for the surgical correction., An infant with bicoronal craniosynostosis, causing a flattened forehead and increased head width, undergoes surgery using procedure 61557., A child with metopic craniosynostosis, presenting with a triangular forehead and a widened back of the head, undergoes corrective surgery, billed under CPT code 61557.
Documentation should include operative report detailing the procedure, including the type of craniosynostosis, surgical technique, and any complications. Pre- and postoperative imaging studies confirming the diagnosis and surgical outcome are essential.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center