Summary & Overview
CPT 27339: Excision of Intramuscular Thigh or Knee Tumor ≥5 cm
CPT code 27339 identifies surgical excision of an intramuscular tumor of the thigh or knee that is 5 centimeters or larger. This code captures a high-complexity soft-tissue surgical procedure with implications for operative planning, resource utilization, and postoperative care. Nationally, coding precision for large intramuscular tumor excisions affects claims adjudication, DRG assignment when applicable, and tracking of complex musculoskeletal surgical volumes.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and payer coverage scope. The publication outlines common modifiers associated with surgical services, notes the procedural threshold tied to tumor size, and describes operational considerations such as facility type and care setting.
This summary provides benchmarks for coding and billing practice, highlights policy-relevant points for payers and providers, and situates the procedure within broader musculoskeletal surgical services. Data not available in the input is noted where necessary.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27339 describes the surgical excision of a tumor measuring 5 cm or larger located in the intramuscular region of the thigh or knee. The procedure involves removal of a sizeable soft-tissue mass from deep musculature of the lower extremity.
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Service type: Surgical excision of intramuscular soft-tissue tumor
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Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or outpatient surgical facility, or ambulatory surgery center, depending on clinical complexity and provider determination
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient presents with a progressively enlarging, deep-seated soft tissue mass in the posterior thigh noted on physical exam and confirmed by MRI to be intramuscular and measuring 6.2 cm. Core needle biopsy suggests a malignant soft tissue tumor (e.g., liposarcoma). The multidisciplinary team schedules an operative excision under general anesthesia. In the operating room, the orthopedic oncology or surgical oncology team performs a wide local excision of the intramuscular tumor with margin assessment; intraoperative frozen section or permanent pathology is used to evaluate margins. Hemostasis is achieved, and the wound is closed; postoperative care includes pain control, wound surveillance, and coordination with medical/radiation oncology for possible adjuvant therapy. Typical documentation includes preoperative imaging and biopsy reports, informed consent noting risks and benefits, operative note describing tumor size (≥5 cm), location in thigh or knee musculature, margins obtained, and any reconstruction or drain placement. Charge capture ties the procedure to 27339 for excision of a tumor 5 cm or greater from intramuscular tissue of the thigh or knee, with appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis linking to the specific tumor histology and site.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Normal or routine service | Use when this procedure is the primary service provided and performed without complications. |