2025 CPT code 63077
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Surgery Feed
Anterior discectomy with spinal cord/nerve root decompression, including osteophytectomy; thoracic, single interspace.
Modifiers 59, 62, 78, and others may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the surgical procedure.
Symptoms must be refractory to conservative management and imaging must clearly demonstrate a herniated thoracic disc causing neurological compromise or severe pain.
The surgeon is responsible for the entire procedure, including incision, disc removal, decompression, grafting, and closure.Anesthesiologist manages anesthesia.Other staff may assist.
- Surgery
- Anterior or Anterolateral Approach for Extradural Exploration/Decompression Procedures on the Spine and Spinal Cord
In simple words: The doctor fixes a slipped disc in the upper back by removing all or part of the damaged disc and using bone grafts to fill the space. This relieves pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
This procedure involves an anterior approach to the thoracic spine to repair a herniated disc.The surgeon decompresses the spinal cord or nerve roots by removing all or part of the herniated disc material. Bone spurs (osteophytes) may also be removed.The resulting space is then filled with grafts (often from a rib).The approach may be anterior transthoracic or posterolateral (costotransversectomy).
Example 1: A 50-year-old presents with severe back pain radiating to the chest and abdomen, and weakness in the legs.MRI reveals a large herniated thoracic disc at T6-T7.63077 is used for the single-level anterior discectomy with decompression., A 65-year-old with a history of osteoporosis experiences sudden onset of severe back pain after a fall.Imaging shows a T4-T5 herniated disc with spinal cord compression.63077 is performed.Bone graft is harvested from the rib., A 45-year-old patient with known spinal stenosis presents with progressive worsening of leg pain and weakness.Surgical intervention is needed, an anterior approach is selected. 63077 is performed for a single-level discectomy and decompression at T8-T9.In addition, an additional interspace is treated with 63078.
Preoperative imaging (MRI, CT), operative report detailing the approach, disc material removed, graft used, and postoperative imaging.
** Thoracic discectomies are less common than cervical or lumbar discectomies due to the anatomical complexities and risks.Careful patient selection and surgical planning are essential.
- Revenue Code: P1F (Major Procedure - Expl/Decompr/Excis Disc)
- RVU: This information requires access to a specific fee schedule and is not available in the provided text.
- Global Days: The global period for this procedure is not specified in the provided data and varies based on payer and local practice guidelines.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: TC modifier is not typically applicable to this code.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule information requires access to a specific fee schedule database and is not available in the provided text.
- Specialties:Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center