How To Use CPT Code 27059

CPT 27059 describes the extensive surgical removal of a soft tissue tumor and surrounding tissues of the pelvis and hip area, measuring 5cm or more. 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 27059?

CPT 27059 can be used to describe the radical resection of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 5cm or greater. This code is used when the surgeon performs an extensive surgical removal of the tumor, including wide margins of healthy tissue.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 27059 is: ‘Radical resection of tumor (eg, sarcoma), soft tissue of pelvis and hip area; 5 cm or greater.’

3. Procedure

1. The surgeon begins by making an incision and raising subcutaneous flaps.
2. Next, the muscles around the tumor are exposed and the fascia is cut into.
3. The surgeon performs a radical excision of the target area, removing the tumor en bloc as well as necessary surrounding structures, including fascia and skin.
4. Lymphatics and blood vessels are ligated as needed.
5. The area is inspected and frozen sections are taken from tissue around the area.
6. Based on the pathology results, the surgeon may perform additional excision at the area.
7. Once clear margins are achieved, the wound is irrigated, a drain may be placed if necessary, and the wound is closed in layers.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 27059 is used for the radical resection of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 5cm or greater. This procedure is performed when the tumor requires extensive surgical removal, including wide margins of healthy tissue. It is important to note that this code is not used for the resection of cutaneous tumors of non-soft tissue origin.

5. When to use CPT code 27059

CPT code 27059 should be used when the surgeon performs an extensive surgical removal of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 5cm or greater. It is important to accurately measure and document the resection size during the surgery, as the size of the excision, not the size of the lesion, determines the appropriate code to use.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 27059, the surgeon must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for radical resection of the tumor
• Size of the tumor and the resection size
• Date of the surgery
• Details of the surgical procedure, including the specific structures removed
• Pathology results, if additional excision was performed
• Any additional procedures performed, such as the placement of a drain
• Signature of the surgeon

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 27059, ensure that the surgical procedure meets the criteria for extensive removal of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 5cm or greater. It is important to accurately document the size of the tumor and the resection size during the surgery. CPT code 27059 should not be reported with codes 27049. It is also important to measure and document the resection size before pathology, as excised tissue shrinks during processing.

8. Historical information

CPT 27059 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2010. On January 1, 2014, the code description was changed to include the term “malignant neoplasm” instead of “sarcoma.”

9. Examples

1. A surgeon performs an extensive surgical removal of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 7cm, including wide margins of healthy tissue.
2. During surgery, the surgeon excises a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 6cm, along with surrounding structures, such as fascia and skin.
3. A patient undergoes a radical resection of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 8cm, with the removal of lymphatics and blood vessels as necessary.
4. A surgeon performs an extensive surgical removal of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 5.5cm, and takes frozen sections for pathology evaluation.
5. During surgery, the surgeon excises a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 9cm, and performs additional excision based on the pathology results.
6. A patient undergoes a radical resection of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 7.5cm, with the placement of a drain to aid in wound healing.
7. A surgeon performs an extensive surgical removal of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 6.5cm, and closes the wound in layers.
8. During surgery, the surgeon excises a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 5.8cm, and takes frozen sections for pathology evaluation.
9. A patient undergoes a radical resection of a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area, measuring 8.2cm, with the removal of lymphatics and blood vessels as necessary.