Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Radical resection of a tumor in the distal phalanx of the finger, as described by CPT® Code 26262, is a surgical procedure primarily indicated for the removal of malignant neoplasms. However, it may also be necessary for benign tumors or tumors of indeterminate nature. The procedure involves making a skin incision directly over the bone tumor located in the distal phalanx, which is the last bone segment of the finger. In some cases, a skin flap may be created and elevated to provide better access to the tumor. The surgeon meticulously dissects the overlying tissue to expose the tumor, ensuring that all affected bone and cartilage are resected. This radical approach entails the removal of the tumor en bloc, which means the tumor is excised along with a wide margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure complete removal of any malignant cells. The procedure also includes the excision of all involved soft tissue, which may encompass muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and adjacent joint tissues. To confirm that all margins are free of tumor cells, a separately reportable frozen section may be performed during the procedure. If any margins indicate the presence of malignancy, additional tissue will be excised until clear margins are achieved. Post-surgery, drains may be placed as necessary, and the surgical wound can be closed in layers or may require additional reconstructive procedures, depending on the extent of the resection. It is important to note that CPT® Code 26262 is specifically designated for tumors located in the distal phalanx, while CPT® Code 26260 is used for tumors in the proximal or middle phalanx.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The radical resection of a tumor in the distal phalanx of the finger is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for radical resection of a tumor in the distal phalanx involves several critical steps:
After the radical resection of a tumor in the distal phalanx, patients can expect specific post-procedure care and considerations. The surgical site will require monitoring for signs of infection, proper healing, and any complications related to the procedure. Patients may experience pain and swelling, which can be managed with prescribed medications. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to assess the healing process and to evaluate the results of the frozen section analysis. If additional tissue was removed due to positive margins, further treatment may be discussed. Rehabilitation may also be recommended to restore function and mobility in the finger, depending on the extent of the resection and any reconstructive procedures performed. Overall, the recovery process will vary based on individual circumstances and the complexity of the surgery.
| Short Descr | RESECT DISTAL FINGER TUMOR | Medium Descr | RADICAL RESECTION TUMOR DISTAL PHALANX FINGER | Long Descr | Radical resection of tumor, distal phalanx of finger | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 142 - Partial excision bone |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F2 | Left hand, third digit | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F6 | Right hand, second digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.