Wiki Axillary adenopathy biopsy

[laura_clffrd@yahoo.com]

Skin was incised, fascial layer was entered, and the suspicious enlarged lymph node was carefully dissected free from surrounding structures using clips and ligation as needed. The lymp node was sent to path.

Then it was closed up with a layer closure

38745 or 38525?

Thanks!!

 

[tcooper@nmhs.net]

Lymph Node Biopsy

I would use 38525. Hope this helps.

 

[Rudolph.Dmello]

axillary node excision that is unrelated to a mastectomy

Axillary node excision (not a region) that is unrelated to a mastectomy should be coded 38525 (Biopsy or excision of lymph node; open, deep axillary node) as this is more appropriate rather than 38745 (... complete) which represents more involved procedures with excision of fatty tissue, lymph nodes and vessels.

 

[jmcpolin]

if the physician is calling it a biopsy then I would have to say 38525