CPT 26373: Secondary Repair of Flexor Profundus Tendon, Superficialis Preserved
CPT code 26373 represents a secondary surgical repair of the flexor profundus tendon in a finger while intentionally preserving the flexor superficialis tendon. This procedure is performed when initial conservative care or a prior repair has failed or when repair is delayed days to weeks after injury. Nationally, accurate capture of this code matters for surgical case mix, hand surgery quality measurement, and appropriate payment for complex reconstructive procedures.
Key payers examined include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for CPT code 26373, typical sites of service, and the service type. The publication provides benchmarks and payer coverage patterns where available, summarizes relevant policy considerations that affect coding and payment, and outlines common billing modifiers used alongside this code.
This summary equips practice managers, coding professionals, and policy analysts with the essential context for CPT code 26373, clarifying where the procedure is typically performed and why precise coding is important for clinical reporting and payer adjudication. Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies or ICD-10 diagnoses.
Sign up for cpt 26373 policy alerts
Get alerted when payer policies referencing 26373 are released or updated.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 26373 describes a secondary repair of the flexor profundus tendon of the finger with preservation of the flexor superficialis tendon. Secondary repair denotes a procedure performed days to weeks after the initial injury or after a prior surgical attempt.
-
Service type: Surgical tendon repair (secondary reconstructive hand surgery)
-
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient operating room
Data not available in the input for payers, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 diagnoses.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 32-year-old right-hand dominant carpenter presents 10 days after a zone I flexor tendon laceration to the ring finger that was initially managed with wound care and delayed referral. The patient complains of limited distal interphalangeal (DIP) flexion and persistent pain. Examination and ultrasound confirm a ruptured or inadequately healed flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon with an intact flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS). The surgeon schedules a secondary repair of the profundus tendon under regional block in an ambulatory surgery center. Preoperative steps include informed consent, baseline neurovascular and tendon function documentation, and marking of the operative digit. Intraoperative workflow includes tourniquet application as indicated, exposure of the tendon sheath, identification of the intact superficialis tendon, debridement of tendon ends, core and epitendinous suture repair of the profundus, and possible pulley venting if required. Postoperative workflow includes digital dressing, immobilization in a dorsal blocking splint, immediate initiation of a therapist-directed early passive or controlled active motion protocol per surgeon preference, and scheduled follow-up visits with progressive rehabilitation to restore DIP flexion while protecting the repair.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or time substantially exceeds typical for secondary FDP repair due to extensive scar, adhesions, or prolonged dissection. |
23 | Unusual anesthesia | Use if procedure is performed under general anesthesia when regional/monitored anesthesia care is typical and anesthesia difficulty is unusual. |
26 | Professional component | Use when only the physician professional component is billed separately from technical facility services. |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Rare for finger tendon repairs, use if identical repairs performed on corresponding digits bilaterally in the same session. |
51 | Multiple procedures | Use when additional distinct surgical procedures are performed during the same operative session. |
52 | Reduced services | Use if the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned. |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use if the procedure is started but halted due to unforeseen circumstances. |
62 | Two surgeons | Use when two surgeons with distinct skills actively participate in the repair (e.g., hand micro-surgeon assisting). |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | Use if the same surgeon performs a repeated procedure on the same site during the postoperative period. |
77 | Repeat procedure by another physician | Use if a different physician performs a repeated procedure on the same site during the postoperative period. |
LT | Left side | Use to indicate the procedure was performed on the left hand/digit. |
RT | Right side | Use to indicate the procedure was performed on the right hand/digit. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when services are partially reduced; for example, repair attempted but limited due to contamination or tissue loss. |
79 | Unrelated procedure or service by same physician during postoperative period | Use if an unrelated procedure on the hand is performed during global period. |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207RH0000X | Orthopedic Hand Surgery | Surgeons specializing in hand and upper extremity perform complex tendon repairs. |
| 207T00000X | Orthopedic Surgery | General orthopedic surgeons commonly perform flexor tendon repairs in hand trauma. |
| 2084P0800X | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | Plastic surgeons with hand expertise perform secondary tendon reconstructions and scar management. |
| 261QP2300X | General Surgery | General surgeons occasionally perform acute or delayed hand tendon repairs in some settings. |
| 363L00000X | Occupational Therapy | Therapists are integral to postoperative controlled motion protocols (documented as provider support). |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
S66.241A | Laceration of flexor tendon of right ring finger at wrist and hand level, initial encounter | Represents an acute flexor tendon injury that may require secondary repair if initial management was delayed. |
S66.242A | Laceration of flexor tendon of left ring finger at wrist and hand level, initial encounter | As above for the left side; later secondary repair codes apply when delayed. |
S66.251A | Laceration of flexor tendon of right middle finger at wrist and hand level, initial encounter | Common mechanism for FDP injury necessitating repair. |
S66.259A | Laceration of flexor tendon of unspecified finger, initial encounter | Use when specific digit not documented; relevant to tendon repair coding. |
M24.371 | Other specific joint derangements, right hand | May appear for chronic dysfunction or tendon-related joint impairment associated with delayed repairs. |
T79.A11A | Sequela of traumatic amputation of right finger(s), initial encounter | In complex trauma cases with partial amputations, secondary tendon reconstruction may be necessary. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
26055 | Tenolysis, flexor tendon; single tendon | Performed when adhesions limit tendon glide after primary repair; may be indicated adjunctively in secondary repairs. |
26130 | Repair, flexor tendon, with free tendon graft (includes obtaining graft), each tendon | Used when primary repair is not possible and a tendon graft (e.g., palmaris longus) is required for reconstruction. |
26040 | Repair, flexor tendon, each tendon; with primary repair, hand or finger, zone I/II | Primary repair code often billed when initial injury is repaired acutely; useful for comparison in documentation of secondary timing. |
26418 | Repair, extensor tendon, primary or secondary | Extensor tendon repairs may be performed in the same session if concomitant dorsal injuries exist. |
29515 | Application of finger splint, static | Postoperative immobilization; splint application is commonly billed or documented alongside tendon repair care. |