CPT® Code 60225

The procedure described by CPT® Code 60225 involves a total thyroid lobectomy on one side of the thyroid gland, accompanied by a contralateral subtotal lobectomy, which includes the removal of the isthmus connecting the two lobes of the thyroid. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck, consisting of two lobes and a central isthmus. This surgical intervention is typically indicated for patients with solitary nodules that are confined to a single lobe and exhibit a high likelihood of malignancy or are indeterminate based on biopsy results. Additionally, it may be performed for conditions such as follicular adenomas, solitary hot or cold nodules, or goiters that are localized to one lobe. The procedure begins with a transverse incision made in the skin over the thyroid, usually aligned with the natural creases of the neck to minimize scarring. Careful dissection through the subcutaneous tissue and platysma muscle is performed, ensuring the protection of critical structures such as the laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. Once the thyroid gland is adequately exposed, the surgeon excises the entire lobe on the affected side, and if necessary, part or all of the isthmus is also removed to ensure complete resection of any diseased tissue. In this specific procedure, the surgeon also removes a portion of the opposite lobe, which is then sent for pathological evaluation to assess for any malignancy. The incision is subsequently closed in layers to promote optimal healing.