General Surgery Coding Alert
You Be the Coder:
Axillary Lymphadenectomy
Published on Mon Jul 01, 2002
Question: Which code should I used for an axillary lymphadenectomy? Florida Subscriber
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Answer: The correct code depends on how well the surgeon documented the depth of the excised lymph nodes. CPT offers 38740 (Axillary lymphadenectomy; superficial) and 38745 ( complete). If the surgeon documented that he or she entered the muscle and removed deep lymph nodes in addition to superficial nodes, report 38745. Otherwise, you should bill only a superficial lymphadenectomy using 38740.
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