| Clinical Indicators
Inferior Turbinate Surgery
| Procedure |
CPT |
FUD |
| Excision turbinate, partial or complete |
30130 |
90 |
| Submucous resection turbinate, partial or complete
|
30140 |
90 |
| Cauterization and/or ablation, mucosa of
turbinates superficial (separate procedure) |
30801 |
10 |
| Cauterization and/or ablation, mucosa of
turbinates intramural (separate procedure) |
30802 |
10 |
Indications
1. History...required
| a) |
Chronic nasal obstruction due in part to inferior turbinate
hypertrophy. |
| b) |
Failure of directed medical management with continued nasal
symptoms (medications, allergy treatment, and duration of therapy). |
| c) |
Failure of medical treatment of rhinitis medicamentosa. |
| d) |
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. |
2. Physical Examination...required
| a) |
Inferior turbinate description before and after decongestion.
|
| b) |
Description of nasal anatomy, documenting presence or absence
of other intranasal pathology. |
3. Tests...optional
| a) |
Allergy evaluation. |
| b) |
Rhinomanometry |
| c) |
Acoustic rhinometry |
Postoperative Observations
| 1. |
Bleeding--change gauze dressing as needed. |
| 2. |
Pain--if severe or worsening. |
| 3. |
Packing or internal splint optional--is it in desired
location? |
| 4. |
Monitor for toxic shock syndrome. |
Outcome Review
1. One Week
| a) |
Healing--Was treatment required for bleeding or infection? |
2. Beyond One Month
| a) |
Airway--Is the presenting problem improved? |
| b) |
Are there problems with crusting? |
| c) |
Are there problems with sinusitis? |
| d) |
Are there problems with ozena/atrophic rhinitis? |
Associated ICD-9 Diagnostic Codes
| 375.42 |
Chronic dacrocystitis |
| 478.0 |
Hypertrophy of nasal turbinates |
| 780.53 |
Hypersomnia with obstructive sleep apnea |
Additional Information
Assistant Surgeon -- N
Supply Charges -- N
Anesthesia Code(s)
00160
Patient Information
Turbinate cauterization involves treatment of a portion of the membrane of an
enlarged inferior turbinate to reduce its size. Partial turbinate resection
involves removal of a portion of bone and sometimes the mucous membrane of an
enlarged inferior turbinate. It is a safe and effective procedure to relieve
nasal congestion which has not improved with treatment of other underlying
nasal, sinus, and/or allergy problems. Inferior turbinate procedures are
performed under local or general anesthesia, sometimes employing cautery,
laser, cryotherapy or radio frequency ablation. They may be performed in
association with other nasal and or sinus procedures. Post-operative bleeding
may occur. Nasal sprays and lubrications may be prescribed to relieve dryness
and aid in healing. Long term complications that may be associated with
turbinate surgery include bleeding, crusting, dryness, odor, scarring, and
sinusitis.
Important Notice
The Clinical Indicators for Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery
are guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The
applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the process or outcome
criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the
circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these
guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. emphasizes that
these clinical indicators should not be deemed inclusive of all proper
treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment
decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same
results.
© 2000 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. One
Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
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