How To Use CPT Code 23170

CPT code 23170 describes the surgical procedure known as sequestrectomy, which involves the removal of a sequestrum, a dead fragment of bone, from the clavicle. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 23170?

CPT 23170 is used to describe the surgical procedure known as sequestrectomy. This procedure involves the removal of a sequestrum, which is a dead fragment of bone, from the clavicle. Sequestrectomy is typically performed when the sequestrum is the result of an infection in the bone, such as osteomyelitis or a bone abscess.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 23170 is: ‘Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), clavicle.’

3. Procedure

During a sequestrectomy procedure, the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized. The healthcare provider makes an incision over the clavicle and dissects down to the level of the bone. An opening is created in the bone to reach the sequestrum, and the sequestrum is extracted. Any surrounding necrotic or infected areas are debrided down to healthy tissue. The extracted sequestrum is then submitted to a laboratory for analysis. If necessary, the defect left by the sequestrum may be filled with soft tissues. The area is irrigated with antibiotic solution, a drain may be inserted, and the provider checks for bleeding. Any instruments are removed, and the incision is closed.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 23170 is performed when there is a sequestrum, a piece of necrotic bone, in the clavicle. This sequestrum is typically the result of an infection in the bone, such as osteomyelitis or a bone abscess. The procedure is performed by a healthcare provider who is qualified to perform surgical procedures on the clavicle.

5. When to use CPT code 23170

CPT code 23170 should be used when a sequestrectomy procedure is performed on the clavicle to remove a sequestrum. It is important to ensure that the sequestrum is the result of an infection in the bone, such as osteomyelitis or a bone abscess. If the sequestrum is located in a different bone or the procedure is performed for a different reason, a different CPT code should be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 23170, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis indicating the presence of a sequestrum in the clavicle
• Description of the procedure performed, including the incision, extraction of the sequestrum, debridement of surrounding tissue, and any additional steps taken
• Details of any soft tissue filling, irrigation with antibiotic solution, drain insertion, and closure of the incision
• Results of any laboratory analysis performed on the extracted sequestrum
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 23170, it is important to ensure that the procedure performed is a sequestrectomy on the clavicle. The healthcare provider performing the procedure must be qualified to perform surgical procedures on the clavicle. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting CPT code 23170 with other codes, so it should be reported based on the specific procedure performed.

8. Historical information

CPT code 23170 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 23170

There are no similar codes to CPT code 23170 within the Excision Procedures on the Shoulder range (23065-23220).

9. Examples

1. A patient with osteomyelitis in the clavicle undergoes a sequestrectomy procedure to remove the sequestrum.
2. A sequestrectomy is performed on a patient with a bone abscess in the clavicle.
3. A sequestrectomy is performed on a patient with a sequestrum in the clavicle resulting from an infection.
4. A patient with osteomyelitis in the clavicle undergoes a sequestrectomy procedure to remove the sequestrum, and the extracted sequestrum is sent for laboratory analysis.
5. A sequestrectomy is performed on a patient with a bone abscess in the clavicle, and the surrounding necrotic tissue is debrided.
6. A sequestrectomy is performed on a patient with a sequestrum in the clavicle resulting from an infection, and the defect left by the sequestrum is filled with soft tissues.
7. A patient with osteomyelitis in the clavicle undergoes a sequestrectomy procedure to remove the sequestrum, and the area is irrigated with antibiotic solution.
8. A sequestrectomy is performed on a patient with a bone abscess in the clavicle, and a drain is inserted to aid in the healing process.
9. A sequestrectomy is performed on a patient with a sequestrum in the clavicle resulting from an infection, and the incision is closed using sutures.
10. A patient with osteomyelitis in the clavicle undergoes a sequestrectomy procedure to remove the sequestrum, and the healthcare provider documents all the necessary details for billing and documentation purposes.