01SD4ZZ
Reposition Femoral Nerve to No Qualifier with No Device, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach
Procedural Specifications
| Clinical Axis | Detail Definition |
|---|---|
| Section | 0 Medical and Surgical |
| Body System | 1 Peripheral Nervous System |
| Operation | S Reposition |
| Body Part | D Femoral Nerve |
| Approach | 4 Percutaneous Endoscopic |
| Device | Z No Device |
| Qualifier | Z No Qualifier |
Operation Definition
Moving to its normal location, or other suitable location, all or a portion of a body part
Procedure Overview
This family covers procedures that move a peripheral nerve back to its normal anatomical course, or to a different suitable location, without cutting across the nerve's continuity. A nerve can end up out of place from a traumatic injury, a compressive mass, scar tissue, or a congenital anomaly, and repositioning it relieves the resulting pain, numbness, or weakness by taking pressure off the nerve or restoring its natural path. Ulnar nerve transposition at the elbow for cubital tunnel syndrome is a familiar example, where the nerve is freed and rerouted in front of the medial epicondyle so it no longer catches or stretches with elbow motion.
Because the nerve itself is not removed, replaced, or rerouted to do another nerve's job, these operations are aimed purely at correcting the nerve's position, distinguishing them from repairs that restore a severed nerve's continuity.
Anatomy & Axis Detail
Femoral Nerve
The femoral nerve descends from the lumbar plexus through the psoas and iliacus muscles before passing beneath the inguinal ligament into the thigh, where it supplies the quadriceps and sensation to the anterior leg. Reposition is considered when the nerve is compressed or displaced within the iliopsoas compartment, often from a retroperitoneal hematoma, hip surgery complication, or tumor, situations where the nerve must be dissected free and moved to relieve pressure before permanent quadriceps weakness develops. Its course near the iliac vessels and its position at the femoral triangle mean surgeons must work carefully around major arterial and venous structures during mobilization. Because the femoral nerve is essential for knee extension and ambulation, timely repositioning after compressive injury can be important for preserving walking function.
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
Documentation needs to describe the nerve moved, the reason it was out of position (entrapment, tumor mass effect, dislocation, prior injury), and where it was relocated to. Operative notes for transposition procedures should make clear that the nerve was freed and rerouted, not decompressed in place, since a simple release of surrounding tissue without moving the nerve belongs to a different root operation. A common assignment error is coding an in-situ decompression (such as a straightforward carpal tunnel release) as Reposition when the nerve was only freed from surrounding tissue and not physically relocated - that scenario is Release, not Reposition. Coders should also confirm the body part value matches the specific nerve or plexus segment named in the note, since peripheral nerve values are granular by nerve name and laterality.
