CPT® Code 63302

Vertebral corpectomy (vertebral body resection), partial or complete, for excision of intraspinal lesion, single segment; extradural, thoracic by thoracolumbar approach

Vertebral corpectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a vertebral body along with the intervertebral discs situated above and below the affected vertebra. This operation is specifically performed to excise an intraspinal lesion or tumor that is located within the spinal canal but is positioned outside the dura mater, which is the protective covering of the spinal cord. The procedure targets a single segment of the thoracic spine, which is the middle section of the vertebral column. Access to the thoracic spine is achieved through a thoracolumbar approach, which necessitates a thoracotomy, an incision made in the chest wall. This approach allows for adequate exposure of the thoracic spine to facilitate the removal of the lesion. Typically, a collaborative effort is employed, involving a thoracic surgeon who performs the exposure and a spine surgeon who carries out the corpectomy. The procedure is intricate and requires careful dissection of the overlying muscles and tissues to reach the thoracic spine, ensuring that the lesion is excised while preserving surrounding structures as much as possible.