CPT Code 69602 | Description & Clinical Information
CPT 69602 describes the surgical procedure in which the provider performs a modified radical mastoidectomy to remove all mastoid air cells, granulation, infected tissue, and bony partitions of the mastoid cavity, and reconstructs the ear canal if necessary, due to the failure of a previous simple or complete mastoidectomy resulting in recurrent otitis media, pus accumulation, eardrum perforation, and recurrent or residual hearing loss.
Official Description
The CPT book defines CPT code 69602 as: “Revision mastoidectomy; resulting in modified radical mastoidectomy”.
Clinical Information
The procedure described by CPT code 69602 involves a complex surgical process conducted to access the mastoid cavity. The provider makes an incision located behind the ear and proceeds to cut through subcutaneous and fascia tissues to gain access to the site. Once the mastoid cavity is apparent, the specialist removes all the mastoid air cells, granulation tissue or infected tissue, and the bony partitions present.
To obtain access to the mastoid cavity, the specialist creates a tympanomeatal flap. This flap is designed to be reflected anteriorly and helps the surgeon in taking the posterior and superior bony canal walls to the level of the facial nerve. Depending on the location of the condition called cholesteatoma, the specialist may choose to remove the ossicles.
After the ossicles have been dealt with, the tympanomeatal flap is positioned over the facial ridge and into the mastoid cavity, leaving some of the middle ear space preserved. In the event that the ear canal needs to be reconstructed for the procedure, the surgeon will create an opening in the canal and pack it and the mastoid cavity with absorbable material to control bleeding.
Eventually, the surgeon will close the incision with sutures. The entire process can be classified as delicate and requires considerable surgical expertise. The mastoid cavity is situated behind the ear, and specialized tools and techniques are necessary to access it.
The procedure is primarily conducted to deal with cholesteatoma, a condition that results in abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum. It affects individuals of all ages, and the condition can lead to severe hearing problems, dizziness, and balance issues in its advanced stages.
Cholesteatoma-like conditions require a surgical approach to eliminate the tissue growth effectively. CPT code 69602 describes in detail the necessary steps that specialist surgeons take when performing the procedure.
More often than not, the process is conducted under general anesthesia. A clear operation field is established, and flow of sterile air is maintained over the area to minimize the risk of infection. The procedure takes somewhere between two to three hours, with the overall recovery time dependent on the patient’s age, general health, and the severity of the condition.
Surgical procedures like the one described by CPT code 69602 are incredibly demanding and require significant training and experience on the part of the surgeon. Therefore, individuals who may be suffering from cholesteatoma should ensure they seek treatment from reputable specialists. Overall, the procedure has a high success rate, and with proper post-operative care, patients can recover from the procedure and resume their daily activities in a relatively short amount of time.
Return to all the CPT codes for repair procedures on the middle ear.
