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Official Description

Excision, tumor, soft tissue of pelvis and hip area, subcutaneous; 3 cm or greater

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27043 involves the excision of a tumor located in the soft tissue of the pelvis and hip area, specifically when the tumor measures 3 cm or greater. Soft tissues encompass a variety of structures, including subcutaneous fat, connective tissue, fascia, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the tissues surrounding joints. Tumors that arise in these soft tissues can be either benign or malignant. Typically, benign tumors are treated through excision, while small malignant or indeterminate tumors may also be excised if they have well-defined margins. The approach to excision may vary based on the tumor's location; for instance, the skin over the tumor may be incised directly, or a skin flap may be created and elevated to access the tumor. During the procedure, the overlying tissue is carefully dissected to expose the soft tissue mass, which is then excised along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. In some cases, a separately reportable frozen section may be performed during the procedure to confirm that all margins are free of tumor cells, which is crucial for ensuring that the tumor has been completely removed. After the excision, drains may be placed as necessary, and the surgical wound is typically closed in layers to promote proper healing. For excisions of tumors in the subcutaneous fat or connective tissue that are less than 3 cm, CPT® Code 27047 is used, while CPT® Code 27043 is specifically designated for tumors measuring 3 cm or greater. Additionally, for tumors located below the fascia, different codes apply: CPT® Code 27048 is used for excisions of less than 5 cm, and CPT® Code 27045 is for those measuring 5 cm or greater. It is important to note that subfascial soft tissue tumors include those found within muscle tissue.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The excision of soft tissue tumors in the pelvis and hip area, as described by CPT® Code 27043, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Benign Tumors These tumors are typically non-cancerous and may require excision to alleviate symptoms or prevent complications.
  • Malignant Tumors Small malignant tumors or those with indeterminate characteristics may be excised if they have well-defined margins, to ensure complete removal and prevent further spread.
  • Indeterminate Tumors Tumors that cannot be definitively classified as benign or malignant may also be excised for diagnostic purposes and to ensure clear margins.

2. Procedure

The procedure for excising a soft tissue tumor in the pelvis and hip area involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the surgical site is prepared and draped in a sterile manner to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: Incision Depending on the tumor's location, the surgeon may make a direct incision over the tumor or create and elevate a skin flap to gain access to the underlying tissue.
  • Step 3: Dissection The overlying tissue is carefully dissected to expose the soft tissue mass. This step requires precision to avoid damaging surrounding structures.
  • Step 4: Tumor Excision The tumor is excised along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. This margin is critical for reducing the risk of recurrence.
  • Step 5: Frozen Section Analysis If indicated, a frozen section may be performed during the procedure to assess the margins for tumor cells, ensuring that the excision is complete.
  • Step 6: Drain Placement If necessary, drains may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation at the surgical site, which can aid in recovery.
  • Step 7: Wound Closure The surgical wound is closed in layers, which may involve suturing the deeper tissues first, followed by the skin closure, to promote optimal healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the excision of the tumor, patients may require specific post-procedure care to ensure proper healing and monitor for any complications. This may include instructions on wound care, signs of infection to watch for, and activity restrictions to avoid strain on the surgical site. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and discuss pathology results if a frozen section was performed. The recovery period can vary based on the individual and the extent of the procedure, but patients are generally advised to rest and gradually resume normal activities as tolerated.

Short Descr EXC HIP PELVIS LES SC 3 CM/>
Medium Descr EXCISION TUMOR SOFT TISSUE PELVIS&HIP SUBQ 3CM/>
Long Descr Excision, tumor, soft tissue of pelvis and hip area, subcutaneous; 3 cm or greater
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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 Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 170 - Excision of skin lesion
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2010-01-01 Added -
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