Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: I just purchased your audioconference CD "Decipher Neck Dissection Vocabulary and Unlock the Correct Codes" and remain quite interested in how you resolved the after conference question, how do you code a central neck dissection? Since this anterior neck dissection targets only level VI lymph nodes, it would seem an exception to both RND and MRND as they include Lymph Nodes II- V.I've read this to be a modification of a selective neck dissection, but no MRND involves these level VI nodes (a quite arduous and distinct dissection). I find a previous recommendation of using 38724-52 unsatisfactory for this very reason. What should I report?Massachusetts SubscriberAnswer: The most accurate code for this is 38999 (Unlisted procedure,hemic or lymphatic system). Central compartment neck dissection refers to the bilateral removal of lymph nodes surrounding the midline visceral structures of the anterior neck. The lymph nodes include the pre- and paratracheal, precricoid [...]