Summary & Overview
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.
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.
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Service type: Surgical tendon repair (secondary reconstructive hand surgery)
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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. |