CPT Code 61558 | Description & Clinical Information
CPT 61558 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider makes incisions in the skull to remove the cranium and reshape it to its anatomically appropriate form, with the aim of treating craniosynostosis, a condition characterized by prematurely fused cranial sutures.
Official Description
The CPT book defines CPT code 61558 as: “Extensive craniectomy for multiple cranial suture craniosynostosis (eg, cloverleaf skull); not requiring bone grafts”.
Clinical Information
The procedure described by CPT code 61558 is a complex surgery aimed at treating craniosynostosis, a condition where the cranial sutures close too early, leading to an abnormal head shape and potential complications. It involves a series of intricate steps that require great skill and attention to detail from the providers.
The first step of the procedure involves preparing the patient for surgery. They must be appropriately anesthetized and prepped to ensure a safe and sterile surgery. Once the patient is ready, the provider will make an incision in the scalp and retract most of or the entire scalp. This exposes the skull while maintaining an adequate blood supply to the scalp.
Next, the provider will make incisions to remove the portion of the skull that encloses the brain. Depending on the patient’s condition, the provider may need to change the position of the patient’s head or make additional scalp and skull incisions to remove the cranium and properly recontour the skull. The goal of the procedure is to achieve normal bone shape of the cranium, which allows the skull to grow correctly.
To achieve this goal, the provider will need to break and restructure the cranium bone, giving it an anatomically appropriate shape. This part of the surgery requires a great deal of skill, as the provider must ensure that the bone is reshaped correctly and without damaging the surrounding tissues. Once the provider has finished reshaping the cranium bones, they are replaced and secured in place.
Finally, the provider sutures the scalp layers together and covers the wound with a sterile dressing. After the surgery, the patient will need close monitoring to ensure that they are healing properly and that there are no complications.
In conclusion, CPT code 61558 describes a surgical procedure for treating craniosynostosis that aims to normalize the bone shape of the cranium. It involves a series of intricate steps that require great skill and attention to detail from the providers. With careful planning and execution, the procedure can help patients achieve a more normal head shape and prevent potential long-term complications.
Return to all the CPT codes for craniectomy or craniotomy procedures.
