0PRV07Z
Replacement Finger Phalanx, Left to No Qualifier with Autologous Tissue Substitute, Open Approach
Procedural Specifications
| Clinical Axis | Detail Definition |
|---|---|
| Section | 0 Medical and Surgical |
| Body System | P Upper Bones |
| Operation | R Replacement |
| Body Part | V Finger Phalanx, Left |
| Approach | 0 Open |
| Device | 7 Autologous Tissue Substitute |
| Qualifier | Z No Qualifier |
Operation Definition
Putting in or on biological or synthetic material that physically takes the place and/or function of all or a portion of a body part
Procedure Overview
Replacement procedures in the upper bones involve removing all or part of a bone in the skull, face, thorax, or upper limb and substituting it with a device or biological material that takes over its structural role. Cranioplasty with a synthetic plate after a skull defect, and prosthetic reconstruction of a portion of the humerus or clavicle following tumor removal, are typical examples.
These procedures are performed when a bone is too damaged, diseased, or absent to be repaired or repositioned, and the patient needs a physical substitute to maintain the shape of the skull or the mechanical function of a limb. The material can be a synthetic implant, such as titanium mesh or bone cement, or biological tissue, such as an allograft.
Anatomy & Axis Detail
Finger Phalanx, Left
On the left hand, the finger phalanges are the small tubular bones that give each finger its three-jointed articulation, allowing the curling motion essential to grasping and fine manipulation. A phalanx is replaced when disease or injury such as a pathologic fracture through a bone tumor, a mangling crush injury, or destructive infection has eliminated enough bone that internal fixation of the native segment is not feasible. Given how compact these bones are, the replacement must be sized precisely to avoid over- or under-lengthening the digit relative to its neighbors, and the adjacent collateral ligaments and tendon sheath are typically reconstructed alongside the bony work. This code applies to any phalanx of any finger on the left hand, so the specific digit and phalangeal level should be documented for surgical clarity.
Approach: Open
Open approach means the surgeon cuts through skin, mucous membrane, or other tissue layers to physically expose the target site to view before performing the procedure. It gives direct visualization and hands-on access, distinguishing it from Percutaneous approaches where instruments pass through a small puncture without exposing the site. Open is typical for procedures needing wide access, such as most laparotomies.
Device: Autologous Tissue Substitute
Autologous Tissue Substitute identifies a device value where material harvested from the patient's own body, such as an autograft, is used to replace or reconstruct a body part. Its defining feature is tissue origin from the patient, setting it apart from Nonautologous Tissue Substitute, sourced from a donor or animal, and Synthetic Substitute, made of manufactured material.
Coding & Documentation
Coding from this family requires documentation that a body part was actually taken out and something physically put in its place, not simply reinforced. The device value must match the material used - synthetic versus autologous versus nonautologous tissue - so operative notes describing the graft source matter for accurate code selection. A recurring error is coding replacement when the native bone was left in place and only augmented, which belongs under supplement instead. Coders should also confirm whether the replaced segment is a full bone or only a portion, since this affects the body part value chosen.
