01XF0ZD
Transfer Sciatic Nerve to Femoral Nerve with No Device, Open Approach
Procedural Specifications
| Clinical Axis | Detail Definition |
|---|---|
| Section | 0 Medical and Surgical |
| Body System | 1 Peripheral Nervous System |
| Operation | X Transfer |
| Body Part | F Sciatic Nerve |
| Approach | 0 Open |
| Device | Z No Device |
| Qualifier | D Femoral Nerve |
Operation Definition
Moving, without taking out, all or a portion of a body part to another location to take over the function of all or a portion of a body part
Procedure Overview
Transfer procedures on the peripheral nervous system move a nerve, still attached to its original blood and nerve supply at one end, to a new location so it can take over the function of a different, nonworking nerve. Nerve transfers are used after severe injuries, such as brachial plexus avulsions, when the original nerve supplying a muscle is damaged beyond repair but a healthy, less critical nerve nearby can be redirected to reinnervate that muscle instead. A common example is transferring a branch of the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve to restore shoulder function after a brachial plexus injury.
Because the donor nerve is not cut free entirely but repositioned to connect with a different target, these procedures differ from a graft, which uses a separate, disconnected piece of tissue to bridge a gap. Transfer is chosen specifically when restoring the original damaged nerve directly is not feasible.
Anatomy & Axis Detail
Sciatic Nerve
Sciatic nerve transfer addresses injuries to the body's largest peripheral nerve, which descends through the posterior thigh and divides into the tibial and common peroneal branches supplying most of the lower leg and foot. Because complete sciatic transection carries a poor prognosis for distal reinnervation given the long regeneration distance to foot muscles, transfer procedures at this level often focus on redirecting a nearby functioning nerve, or a spared fascicle within the sciatic nerve itself, to a more proximal target such as hamstring or hip muscles rather than attempting full distal recovery. Surgical exposure requires a posterior thigh approach with attention to the nerve's deep course beneath the gluteus maximus. Coding at this body part reflects use of the sciatic nerve or its proximal fascicles in the transfer.
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.
Qualifier: Femoral Nerve
The Femoral Nerve arises from the lumbar plexus and supplies the anterior thigh muscles, including the quadriceps responsible for knee extension, along with sensation to the anteromedial thigh and leg. As a qualifier it distinguishes this nerve from the sciatic nerve, which governs the posterior thigh and leg, and from other lumbar plexus branches.
Coding & Documentation
The operative note needs to name both the donor nerve being moved and the recipient nerve or muscle it is being connected to, since the body part value coded reflects the nerve being transferred, not the target. A frequent coding error is mistaking a nerve transfer for a nerve graft repair; the distinguishing detail is whether the donor nerve retains its native blood supply and proximal attachment (Transfer) or is a free segment used to bridge a gap in a different nerve (Repair or Replacement). Coders should also check whether the transferred nerve is being coapted directly to the recipient nerve or routed through a graft, which can mean an additional code is warranted.