What is central compartment neck dissection?

Background: Central compartment lymph node dissection is a common adjunct to thyroidectomy in the treatment of papillary thyroid cancer. The indications, surgical technique, potential benefits, and operative risks of this procedure should be clearly defined in order to provide optimal care to these patients.

What is the CPT code for total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection?

The platysmas and skin are closed. CPT code 60252 is reported when a limited neck dissection is done, while CPT code 60254 is reported if a radical neck dissection is included in the procedure.

What is central node dissection?

The most common place for thyroid cancer to spread is to the lymph nodes right around the thyroid and along the windpipe just below the thyroid. This area is called the central neck. Removing lymph nodes in this area to eradicate cancer is known as a “central neck dissection.”

What are the three types of neck dissection?

There are 3 main types of neck dissection surgery:

Radical neck dissection. All the tissue on the side of the neck from the jawbone to the collarbone is removed.
Modified radical neck dissection. This is the most common type of neck dissection.
Selective neck dissection.

Why do a neck dissection?

Neck dissection is usually performed to remove cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in the neck. Lymph nodes are small bean shaped glands scattered throughout the body that filter and process lymph fluid from other organs. The immune cells in the lymph nodes help the body fight infection.

How do you code a thyroidectomy?

Answer: CPT 60240 for the total thyroidectomy is correct.

Are lymph nodes removed during thyroidectomy?

Lymph Node Removal If your tumor has spread or is likely to spread to your lymph nodes, your surgeon will remove the lymph nodes in your neck during your thyroid surgery. MSK thyroid surgeons have extensive experience in this complex procedure, called a lymphadenectomy or lymph node dissection.

Where is the lateral side of the neck?

The lateral cervical region constitutes the posterior triangle of the neck, and it is bounded by the posterior border of the SCM anteriorly, anterior border of the trapezius posteriorly, inferiorly by the middle third of the clavicle between the trapezius and the SCM, superiorly by an apex where the SCM and trapezius …

What is the CPT code for selective neck dissections?

SND typically preserves nonlymphatic structures (SAN, SCM, and IJV) but may also involve their sacrifice. While code 38700 is properly used to code the very limited SHND involving level I only, all other SNDs are reported with CPT code 38724, Cervical lymphadenectomy .

Do you have to code out radical neck dissection?

By definition, you must not distinctly report the radical neck dissection (38720, Cervical lymphadenectomy [complete]). CPT, though, throws you a curve ball once your physician combines thyroidectomy along with modified radical neck dissection. None of the thyroidectomy CPT codes identify this combination, which you’ll have to code out distinctly.

What are the different types of neck dissections?

Are you confused after you read the section in the cpt book? A Modified radical neck dissection (38724, also known as cervical lymphadenectomy) is an excision of all the lymph nodes routinely removed in a radical neck dissection (38720, also known as suprahyoid lymphadenectomy), but with preservation of one or more nonlymphatic structures.

Can a central neck dissection be carried out with a total thyroidectomy?

Consequently, in case it is stated that a central neck dissection is carried out with a total thyroidectomy, you would report 60252 (Thyroidectomy, total or subtotal for malignancy; with limited neck dissection). Let’s try a different example.