CPT® Code 61501

A craniectomy for osteomyelitis is a surgical procedure aimed at addressing an infection of the skull bone, known as osteomyelitis. This condition involves the presence of necrotic bone, which is a piece of bone that has died due to infection or lack of blood supply. The procedure may also be referred to as a sequestrectomy of the skull, highlighting the removal of the sequestrum, or the necrotic bone fragment. During the surgery, a careful incision is made through the skin and soft tissue to access the affected area. If the periosteum, which is the layer of tissue covering the bone, is healthy and viable, it is gently lifted away from the sequestrum to allow for the excision of the necrotic bone. In cases where the periosteum is not viable and an involucrum, or new bone formation, has developed around the sequestrum, the necrotic bone is removed while preserving the involucrum. This approach facilitates the healing process by allowing the surrounding healthy tissue to contribute to the repair of the cortical bone defect. After the procedure, the incisions in the soft tissue and skin are meticulously closed, and a dressing is applied to protect the surgical site during the initial recovery phase.