Summary & Overview
CPT 26123: Fasciectomy with Single-Finger Release
CPT code 26123 captures a targeted hand surgery in which fascial tissue is excised from a portion of the palm and one finger is released, including the middle joint. This code is relevant nationally because it documents definitive surgical management for contractures and triggering processes that limit finger motion; accurate use affects clinical records, claims adjudication, and aggregated procedure counts for hand surgery services. Key payers included in typical coverage analyses are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will learn the clinical context for use of CPT code 26123, where this procedure is commonly performed, and the categories of services it represents. The publication outlines benchmarking and reimbursement considerations, common payer coverage patterns, and coding nuances important for correct claim submission. It also summarizes the typical care setting and providers who perform the procedure. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 26123 describes the surgical removal of fascial tissue from part of the palm with release of one finger, including release of the proximal interphalangeal (middle) joint. Procedures may include fasciectomy, digital release, and soft-tissue rearrangement techniques such as Z-plasty or skin grafting as needed to restore finger mobility.
-
Service type: Surgical hand procedure — fasciectomy with single-digit release
-
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room, often performed by hand surgeons or orthopedic/plastic surgeons
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old right-handed male with progressive palmar fascial thickening presents with fixed flexion contracture of the ring finger at the proximal interphalangeal joint and palpable Dupuytren cord over the central palm. The patient reports difficulty placing his hand flat on surfaces and impaired grasping. Conservative measures failed and the surgeon elects to perform limited fasciectomy with release of a single affected finger, which may include Z-plasty for skin closure and local tissue rearrangement.
Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, informed consent discussing risks (nerve or vessel injury, infection, stiffness), verification of laterality, marking of the operative site, and review of comorbidities for anesthesia planning. The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under regional block or general anesthesia. Intraoperative steps include incision over the diseased fascia, dissection and excision of diseased fascial tissue, release of the contracted finger including the proximal interphalangeal joint, and soft tissue reconstruction as needed (Z-plasty or local flap). Postoperative care includes dressing, hand therapy referral, pain control, and follow-up for wound checks and rehabilitation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | Use when the procedure is performed on the left hand/finger |