What is the CPT code for ethmoidectomy?

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) Codes

CPT Code	Descriptor	2018 Global Period
31257	Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical with ethmoidectomy; total (anterior and posterior), including spehnoidotomy	000

What is the CPT code for maxillary antrostomy?

31256
CPT code 31256 is correct for maxillary antrostomy without removal of tissue, however, 31267 is used when tissue is removed.

What is ethmoidectomy surgery?

An ethmoidectomy removes infected tissue and bone in the ethmoid sinuses that blocks natural drainage. The surgeon views your ethmoid sinuses with an endoscope, a thin flexible tube with a very small camera and light at the end of it.

What is the CPT code 31253?

Nasal/sinus endoscopy
31253 – Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical with ethmoidectomy; total (anterior and posterior), including frontal sinus exploration, with removal of tissue from frontal sinus, when performed.

What is maxillary antrostomy?

WHAT IS A MAXILLARY ANTROSTOMY? The maxillary sinuses are located under your cheekbones. When they become blocked and no longer drain properly, an infection can develop. Often, the sinus opening itself becomes blocked, too. The procedure to clear the sinus opening is called a maxillary antrostomy.

What is the CPT code for bilateral total ethmoidectomy?

When doing both a frontal sinus exploration (with or without tissue removal) combined with a total ethmoidectomy on the same side, use 31253. If only a partial anterior ethmoidectomy is performed, then the two procedures are still separately reported with 31254 and 31276.

What is a maxillary antrostomy?

What is posterior ethmoidectomy?

A complete ethmoidectomy is the removal of the anterior and posterior ethmoid air cells. ▪ A complete ethmoidectomy follows a maxillary antrostomy and is one component of complete functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

What is a partial ethmoidectomy?

A partial ethmoidectomy is the removal of the ethmoid bulla and any cells against the medial orbital wall anterior to the basal lamellae. ▪ A partial ethmoidectomy is often combined with a maxillary antrostomy and termed mini–FESS.

What does CPT code 31231 include?

CPT 31231 Nasal endoscopy, diagnostic, unilateral or bilateral (separate procedure), is the base code for this family of endoscopic surgeries. This base code is considered integral to the other endoscopic sinus surgeries. It is never paid separately when performed with other endoscopic services in the family.

Why is ethmoidectomy done?

They’re key to treating most sinus infections because all the other sinuses drain through or next to them. So, if your ethmoid sinuses are blocked, the infection can spread to the other sinuses. An ethmoidectomy removes infected tissue and bone in the ethmoid sinuses that blocks natural drainage.

What is a medial antrostomy?

The intent of an extended medial maxillary antrostomy is to form a wide opening into the maxillary sinus into the nasal cavity. The antrostomy is carried to the floor of the nose as to avoid the need for mucociliary clearance against gravity as needed with standard maxillary antrostomy.

What is external ethmoidectomy?

An external ethmoidectomy begins with a tarsorrhaphy on the ipsilateral eye in order to prevent corneal injury. The incision is made halfway between the medial canthus and the midline of the nose down to bone. Lateral elevation of the periosteum exposes the anterior lacrimal ridge and the lacrimal fossa.

What is maxillary antrostomy surgery?

Maxillary antrostomy is a surgical procedure to enlarge the opening (ostium) of the maxillary sinus. This allows for further surgical intervention within the maxillary sinus cavity as well as improved sinus drainage.

Can CPT code 30901 and 31231 be billed together?

No. CPT 31231 is a diagnostic procedure and includes the parenthetical statement “separate procedure.” That means 31231 is included in a more definitive therapeutic/treatment procedure at the same operative session. Report either CPT code 31231 or 30901 (or 30903 or 30905), but not both codes.

In the ethmoid sinus, we have two codes for excision of the air cells in the ethmoid sinus. CPT 31254 is reported for an anterior ethmoidectomy while CPT 31255 is reported for a total ethmoidectomy: CPT 31254: Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with ethmoidectomy; partial (anterior)

How do you code a maxillary antrostomy with a total ethmoidectomy?

So if a maxillary antrostomy is performed with a total ethmoidectomy and a frontal sinusotomy on the same side, it would be coded with the combination codes 31253 plus 31256 if no tissue was removed and plus 31267 if tissue was removed.

What is the CPT code for endoscopy with sphenoidotomy?

Coding tip: This code includes the work of CPT 31255 (total ethmoidectomy) and CPT 31287 (sphenoidotomy) when performed on the same side CPT 31259: Nasal/sinus endoscopy, surgical, with ethmoidectomy; total (anterior and posterior), including sphenoidotomy, with removal of tissue from the sphenoid sinus

How many total ethmoidectomy on the right side were reported with 31255-rt?

The polling question was as follows: On the right side, a total ethmoidectomy, and a maxillary antrostomy, with removal of tissue. On the left side, a total ethmoidectomy and a sphenoidotomy with removal of tissue from the sphenoid. A : The correct answer is #3. On the right side there was a total ethmoidectomy, reported with 31255-RT.