Question:
CharlotteM:
What are the differences between CPT codes: 32220 (decortication), 32310 (Parietal pleurectomy), and 32320 (Decortication and parietal pleurectomy)? They all sound the same. Pulmonary decortication is the removal of the pleura of the lung (pleurectomy).
Answer:
Paul A:
Looking at the following site. it does list Pleuectormy and Decortication as separate procedures. It also goes into deeper discussion of what is involved in each part
http://www.asbestos.com/treatment/surgery/pleurectomy.php
From what I was able to extract. Pleurectomy is the removal of the outside layer of the pleural lining. The Decortication involves removing any visible tumor growth in the chest area after completion of removal of the lining (or without removing the lining). So looks like 32220 does not include removal of the parietal lining.
So it appears
32320 is Pleuectormy and Decortication
32310 is Pleuectormy only
32220 is Decortication only
CharlotteM:
What are the differences between CPT codes: 32220 (decortication), 32310 (Parietal pleurectomy), and 32320 (Decortication and parietal pleurectomy)? They all sound the same. Pulmonary decortication is the removal of the pleura of the lung (pleurectomy).
Answer:
Paul A:
Looking at the following site. it does list Pleuectormy and Decortication as separate procedures. It also goes into deeper discussion of what is involved in each part
http://www.asbestos.com/treatment/surgery/pleurectomy.php
From what I was able to extract. Pleurectomy is the removal of the outside layer of the pleural lining. The Decortication involves removing any visible tumor growth in the chest area after completion of removal of the lining (or without removing the lining). So looks like 32220 does not include removal of the parietal lining.
So it appears
32320 is Pleuectormy and Decortication
32310 is Pleuectormy only
32220 is Decortication only