ICD-10-PCS Billable Code

0BCF4ZZ

Extirpation Lower Lung Lobe, Right to No Qualifier with No Device, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach

Procedural Specifications

Clinical Axis Detail Definition
Section0 Medical and Surgical
Body SystemB Respiratory System
OperationC Extirpation
Body PartF Lower Lung Lobe, Right
Approach4 Percutaneous Endoscopic
DeviceZ No Device
QualifierZ No Qualifier

Operation Definition

Taking or cutting out solid matter from a body part

Procedure Overview

Extirpation removes solid material that doesn't belong in the respiratory tract - a foreign object a child inhaled, an inspissated mucus plug obstructing a bronchus, a blood clot, or a broncholith (a piece of calcified material eroding into an airway). The goal isn't to take a tissue sample or treat disease directly, but simply to physically take out an abnormal solid substance that is causing obstruction or infection risk.

Anatomy & Axis Detail

Lower Lung Lobe, Right

The right lower lung lobe is the largest lobe of the right lung and lies in a dependent position within the thorax, which predisposes it to abscess formation, necrotic debris, and organized hematoma, especially in patients with aspiration pneumonia or complicated infections. Extirpation targets this accumulated solid material within the lobe's parenchyma, typically accessed surgically or via image-guided drainage combined with debridement rather than bronchoscopically, since the material lies within lung tissue rather than an airway lumen. Its proximity to the diaphragm and posterior costophrenic structures can influence surgical positioning and approach. Removing necrotic or infected material from this lobe helps control sepsis and prevent further parenchymal destruction while sparing viable lung tissue that would otherwise be sacrificed with a formal lobectomy.

Approach: Percutaneous Endoscopic

Percutaneous Endoscopic combines a puncture through skin or mucous membrane with insertion of an endoscope to visualize the procedure internally, as in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is distinguished from plain Percutaneous by the presence of scope-guided visualization, and from Via Natural or Artificial Opening Endoscopic by its route being a new puncture rather than an existing orifice or stoma.

Coding & Documentation

Coders should look for language describing removal of a foreign body, thrombus, or debris rather than removal of native tissue for diagnostic or therapeutic sampling. The route matters for code assignment - most respiratory extirpations are done via flexible or rigid bronchoscopy, so the approach value typically reflects a natural or percutaneous endoscopic route. A common error is coding removal of a mucus plug as Drainage because it involves clearing an airway, when the material removed was solid rather than liquid, which makes Extirpation the accurate choice. Another is missing that a foreign body first broken up and then removed should be coded to both Fragmentation and Extirpation when pieces are individually taken out.

Commonly Confused With

DrainageDrainage is the closer call when what's removed is liquid or gaseous rather than solid matter - thick secretions suctioned out during bronchoscopy can blur this line, so the physician's description of consistency guides the choice.
FragmentationFragmentation is distinct because it only breaks material apart in place; if the fragments are then physically removed, that removal step is coded separately as Extirpation.