Cervical Lymphadenectomy-Codes 38720 and 38724 (August 2002)

Why This Topic Matters

Neck dissection coding can depend on the extent of lymph node removal and the type of dissection performed. This article helps readers understand the clinical and coding context surrounding these procedures so they can compare operative documentation with the CPT framework discussed in the article.

Article Sections

1. August 2002 pages 8-9

   Introductory publication information for the coding communication article.

2. Coding Communication: Cervical Lymphadenectomy-Codes 38720 and 38724

   Overview of cervical lymphadenectomy in the setting of head and neck cancer and the general surgical context for the article.

3. Regions of Lymph Nodes

   General anatomy-focused discussion of how cervical lymph nodes are organized into regions of the neck.

4. Neck Dissection Techniques

   Broad comparison of neck dissection approaches and the surgical structures discussed in relation to those techniques.

5. Reporting Neck Dissections with Codes 38720 and 38724

   Coding-focused section addressing the article’s CPT surgery code discussion, including laterality and modifier use at a high level.

6. Clinical Vignette: CPT code 38720

   Operative example illustrating a complete neck dissection scenario associated with one of the CPT codes discussed.

7. Clinical Vignette: CPT code 38724

   Operative example illustrating a modified radical neck dissection scenario associated with one of the CPT codes discussed.