Neurosurgery Coding Alert

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Turn To Unlisted Code for Buttress Plate Attached To One Vertebra

Question: Our patient previously (in the past six months) had direct lateral interbody fusion utilizing medtronics system with intervertebral cage placement with bone graft. The patient recently returned, stating he had a fall and the MRI impression stated intervertebral cage had displaced. Our physician took the patient back to OR and removed the extruded cage and replaced a with larger cage with new bone graft and placed buttress plate using the direct lateral approach.Would this be considered a refusion, and in that case, do we report both 22558 and 22851? Or would we only report 22851?New York SubscriberAnswer: Since this procedure is being repeated outside of the 90 day global period, one would report 22558 (Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace [other than for decompression]; lumbar) for the approach and revision of the lateral lumbar interbody arthrodesis, Although one can report 22851 (Application of intervertebral biomechanical [...]
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