Summary & Overview
CPT 27707: Fibular Wedge Resection (Osteotomy)
CPT code 27707 identifies a surgical fibular wedge resection (osteotomy) in which a wedge-shaped portion of the fibula is removed. This procedure is relevant nationally as a component of lower-extremity orthopedic and reconstructive care, often used to correct deformity, address malalignment, or facilitate reconstructive strategies. Accurate coding affects clinical documentation, billing, and aggregation of surgical quality measures.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication reviews how CPT code 27707 is classified, common clinical contexts for its use, and the primary sites where the procedure is performed (operating room or ambulatory surgical center).
Readers will find an overview of clinical context, common service settings, and the typical questions payers and providers address when this code appears on the claim. The piece also covers benchmarking considerations and policy-relevant notes that influence payment and utilization reporting. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable, and detailed payer-specific coverage policies are not included in this summary.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27707 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider cuts a wedge-shaped portion of bone from the fibula, the outer and thinner of the two long bones of the lower leg. This procedure is a form of bone resection or osteotomy performed on the fibula, typically to correct deformity, relieve pressure, or prepare the limb for reconstructive interventions.
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Service type: Surgical; lower extremity bone surgery (fibular wedge resection/osteotomy)
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Typical site of service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center, performed by orthopedic or podiatric surgical teams
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 42-year-old patient presents with progressive varus deformity of the ankle and symptomatic lateral column overload after a malunited distal tibial fracture. Conservative care including bracing and activity modification has failed. The orthopedic surgeon plans a corrective fibular osteotomy to remove a wedge-shaped segment of the distal fibula (wedge resection) to realign the distal tibiofibular relationship and allow reconstruction of the ankle mortise. The procedure is performed in an operating room under general or regional anesthesia. Preoperative workflow includes imaging (weight-bearing radiographs, CT if indicated), informed consent, anesthesia assessment, and perioperative antibiotics. Intraoperative steps include fluoroscopic localization, exposure of the lateral distal fibula, measurement of wedge geometry, osteotomy and wedge removal, fixation as indicated (plate/screws), and irrigation/closure. Postoperative care includes recovery room monitoring, analgesia, immobilization in a boot or cast, weight-bearing instructions, and outpatient follow-up at 2 weeks for wound check and serial radiographs over the next 6–12 weeks for healing and alignment assessment.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when identical fibular osteotomies are performed on both lower extremities during the same operative session. |