Forum - Questions & Answers

Jul 9th, 2009 - sarahderm 1 

CPT code for Bot Fly Removal?

Does anyone know what CPT code should be used for the removal of Bot Fly larvae?

The bot fly larvae were removed as follows:

The areas were covered with aquaphor ointment to "suffocate" the bot flies and lure them towards the surface of the skin. The areas were then left to set. When the patient returned to the office about 5 hours later the areas were injected with lidocain and epi. Pressure was then applied to the area, and the maggots were gently pulled from the wound with forceps. The larvae in the Occipital lesion and the most posterior lesion on L neck were removed in this manner.

The remaining four larvae were removed via punch excisions after the above method failed.

Jul 9th, 2009 - nmaguire   2,606 

bot fly

Sounds like popping a Zit. Anyway, it would be a level of E/M to cover both encounters.
I never quote a surgery code before seeing the procedure note.

Jul 9th, 2009 - sarahderm 1 

bot fly

The following is an excerpt from the progress notes:

Treatment
1. Myiasis
Discussed tx options with pt which I learned from Dr. Dirk Elston and Dr Chris Sartori (Colorado Springs)- He DOES NOT want the bugs killed prior to excision/expression from skin, as such his options are: 1) applying Vaseline and using forceps, 2) apply raw steak-ums over the area and let the Bot flies work their way out, 3) inject Lidocaine forcing the Bot flies out. He opts to place aquafor ointment on the areas today and return this afternoon at 4 pm to try lidocaine for removal. When he returned in the afternoon, I injected the areas with lido and epi, and was able to express the larvae from the occipital lesion and the most posterior lesion on his L neck. All other lesions required punch excision as they failed the above treatment.
Procedures
Punch Excision
Location(s), Size including margin, Dx : base of L neck anterior & midline lesions, L medial clavicle lesion, L fourth finger - all with 5 mm punch - myiasis
Consent : All risks, benefits, and potential complications were discussed including bleeding, infection, scarring, or infection.
Method : The lesion area was infiltrated with 2% lidocaine with epinepherine, The punch instrument, Adson's forceps, and pointed scissors were used to harvest the specimen. The defect was then closed using the described sutures. The biopsy specimen was sent to the laboratory for pathological evaluation
Post-Op : The likelihood of scarring and possibility of recurrence was reiterated to the patient. The patient is instructed to cleanse the wound twice daily with a mild soap and water, and then apply a bandage. The patient is instructed to notify the office if the wound site oozes, or becomes painful or red. The specimen was sent to the laboratory for pathological evaluation.
Suture : 4-0 nylon
Suture Removal : 12-14 days


Jul 9th, 2009 - nmaguire   2,606 

bugs

look at codes 10120/10121
Note that the code terminologies for codes 10120 (Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple) and 10121 (Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; complicated) include "Incision and removal."
Surgical excision removes the entire FB but requires a larger hole in the skin. A punch incision makes a smaller hole through which the FB can be removed. (In my opinion)



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