even my physician said he wasn't sure which code to use 21556 verses 21557. This is the op note: ...the left chest was prepped and draped in the sterile fashion. The nodule at the previous midaxillary chest tube site was marked and a wide elliptical incision was made fully encompassing the mass in the subcutaneous tissues. Dissection was carried down to subcutaneous tissue and a cord of firm tissue tracked superiorly from the initial 1 to 2 cm nodule under the skin. This was followed down into the latissimus dorsi muscle, which was divided along the length of its fibers. The mass was tracked down to the intercostal space and divided across it at that point. The wound was then irrigated with normal saline. hemostasis was obtained with electrocautery. It was closed with skin staples. The patient tolerated the procedure well. The incision was approximately 10 cm in length.
I know the 10 cm brings it to the second code (21554 or 21558) But which one.
thank you
I know the 10 cm brings it to the second code (21554 or 21558) But which one.
thank you