Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Our neurosurgeon's documentation states he performed a C1-2 posterior fusion using the "Gallie" technique. What is this, and which code should we use to report it?

Kentucky Subscriber

Answer: During the Gallie technique, the neurosurgeon uses a sublaminar wire at C1 before he places the graft. You should report the arthrodesis component of a Gallie technique as 22595 (Arthrodesis, posterior technique, atlas axis [C1-C2]).

Because +22840 (Posterior nonsegmental instrumentation [e.g., Harrington rod technique, pedicle fixation across one interspace, atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation, sublaminar wiring at C1, facet screw fixation] [List seprately in addition to code for primary procedure]) refers to "sublaminar wiring at C1," the instrumentation component of a Gallie technique would be reported as 22840.