Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: Could you please explain the difference between the different types of neck dissection -- radical, modified radical, suprahyoid, and limited? New Mexico Subscriber Answer: Neck dissections refer to a procedure called "lymphandectomies," which is the removal of lymph nodes. A radical neck dissection, for instance 38720 (Cervical lymphandectomy, complete) is an en-bloc (all at the same time) clearance of all fibro fatty tissue from one side of the neck, including the lymph nodes from levels I-V and lymph nodes that surround the tail of the parotid gland, the spinal accessory nerve, the internal jugular vein, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. A modified neck dissection, such as 38724 (Cervical lymphadenectomy [modified radical neck dissection]) involves the removal of the same lymph node groups as those involved in the radical neck dissection (levels I-V) but requires preservation of one or more of the following three nonlymphatic structures: the spinal accessory nerve, the internal [...]