CPT® Code 20910

The procedure described by CPT® Code 20910 involves the transplantation of cartilage, specifically a costochondral graft, which is a type of autograft. This procedure is commonly performed to reconstruct areas of the face, particularly to alleviate pain associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. In this context, the term "costochondral" refers to the cartilage that is harvested from the rib area, which is then transplanted to the affected site. The grafting process can involve different types of grafts: an autograft, where the cartilage is taken from the same individual, an allograft (or homograft), where the cartilage is sourced from another human donor, and a xenograft (or heterograft), which involves cartilage from a different species. The surgical procedure begins with the physician making an incision over the donor site, which is typically located near the ribs, followed by the resection of surrounding muscles to access and harvest the cartilage graft. This code specifically pertains to the costochondral grafting procedure, while a different code, CPT® Code 20912, is designated for grafts taken from the nasal septum.