AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 1984 November - December; New Technologies
Tissue Expansion
Code assignments for insertion of tissue expander are as follows: Note: As of October 1, 1987, insertion of tissue expander for breast is coded to 85.95. Insertion of tissue expander of other sites is coded to 86.93. Breast, 85.89 Other sites, 86.89 (Coders should be guided by exclusion notes.) Tissue expansion is a means of creating extra soft tissue for skin reconstruction. It involves a physiological process in which the skin or mucous membrane accommodates a slowly growing mass beneath it by increasing its own surface area. Tissue expansion has been used in breast...
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Article Overview
This premium article covers tissue expansion as a reconstructive procedure, including its clinical purpose, how the technique works in broad terms, and the coding assignments mentioned for tissue expander insertion by anatomic site. It is relevant to coding professionals and readers working in plastic and reconstructive surgery who need a high-level understanding of the topic and the associated code references.
Why This Topic Matters
Tissue expansion appears in reconstructive practice across multiple anatomic sites, and the article ties the clinical concept to specific coding references. That makes it useful for coders who need to recognize the procedure and understand the article’s scope without relying on general assumptions.
What You Will Learn
- The general purpose of tissue expansion in reconstructive surgery.
- How tissue expanders are used in broad clinical terms.
- Which anatomic site categories are referenced in the coding discussion.
- Why exclusion notes are mentioned in the context of code assignment.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
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