CPT® Code 11732

Add-On Code

Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; each additional nail plate (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

A simple avulsion of the nail plate, whether partial or complete, is a surgical procedure aimed at removing the nail plate from the nail bed. This procedure is typically performed when there is a need to address issues such as infection, trauma, or other conditions affecting the nail. During the procedure, a Freer elevator is utilized, which is a specialized surgical instrument designed to separate tissues. The elevator is inserted under the edge of the nail plate, allowing the surgeon to lift the nail until a plane of cleavage is formed between the nail bed and the nail plate. This cleavage is then extended proximally to the nail matrix, which is the tissue under the base of the nail that produces new nail cells. The lateral margins of the nail are freed by moving the elevator in a side-to-side motion, ensuring that the nail is completely detached from the surrounding tissue. Once the lateral margins are adequately separated, the elevator is inserted under the cuticle, and the same side-to-side motion is applied. Finally, the nail is grasped with a hemostat, a clamp used to hold tissues, and avulsed using a rolling-twisting motion. It is important to note that CPT® Code 11732 is specifically used for each additional nail plate avulsion performed, following the primary procedure coded with CPT® Code 11730 for a single nail plate avulsion.