Evaluation of quality of life over time among 453 patients with hyperhidrosis submitted to endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy

摘要

CPT code 64818 denotes "'lumbar sympathectomy." The code description is fairly generic and is therefore appropriate to report such an operation done through either an open surgical (eg, a retroperitoneal exposure) or a laparoscopic approach. A 90-day associated global period has been assigned by the Centers for Medicare and Medic-aid Services (CMS). The sympathetic chain is often divided during aortic surgery for aneurysm or occlusive disease. Remember that if the procedure is done either by accident or purposefully at the time of aortic reconstruction, it is not separately reimbursable and remains bundled with the bypass code description. The introductory wording to the "Arteries and Veins" section of the CPT manual specifically states "Sympathectomy, when done, is included in the listed ires."