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General Surgery Coding Alert

General Surgery Coding:

Is 97597 Appropriate for Selective Mechanical Debridement?

Published on Wed Nov 26, 2025

Question: Physician’s op note states “Mechanical debridement of biofilm to the level of subcutaneous tissue with a Vashe-soaked debrilolly and dried well.” The wound size is documented as 2 cm x 4 cm. What CPT® code should I report? Kansas Subscriber Answer: Assign 97597 (Debridement (eg, high pressure waterjet with/without suction, sharp selective debridement with scissors, scalpel and forceps), open [...]
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