coding from path report and use of code29877

First question: If when coding the excision of a lesion and the physician does not note the size, is it acceptable to use the size noted in the path report? I know that these are not accurate because of the shrinkage, but if this is all you have to go on, is it OK? Is there a "rule" that says you cannot do this?

Second question: Is it OK to use 29877 as long as it is in a separate compartment?
I had read at one time that it has to be noted that the physician spent at least 15 minutes in the separate compartment but does this still hold true?

Excision

You should always choose a code based on the size in the physician’s documentation, not the size documented in the pathology report. You should ask the physician to measure the lesion and the margins that they are going to take before they even remove it. It is not really a good idea to code from the path report as the specimen will shrink in the formalin. If you’re coding from the size listed on the pathology report, you could be undercoding by almost
half the size.
CPT code 29877 is used to report a knee arthroscopy. HCPCS code G0289, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, foreign body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty) at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee, is also used in some instances for Medicare claims.

coding from path report

Is there a rule that says that you absolutely can never code from the path report even when you cannot get the correct measurements from the physican?

pathology report

No, but revenue will suffer.