CPT® Code 64890

The procedure described by CPT® Code 64890 involves the surgical repair of a nerve in the hand or foot using a single strand nerve graft. This technique is employed to facilitate a tension-free repair of an injured nerve, which is crucial for restoring proper nerve function. During the procedure, the surgeon first exposes the injured nerve and assesses the extent of the damage. If necessary, any damaged tissue is carefully removed through a process known as debridement. To evaluate the function of the nerve, additional nerve testing and monitoring may be performed, which are reported separately. The surgeon then utilizes microscopic visualization to meticulously dissect the healthy proximal and distal segments of the nerve, freeing them from surrounding tissue to prepare for the grafting process. The length of the required nerve graft is determined at this stage. A single strand nerve graft is harvested from a donor site, where the donor nerve is exposed and the desired length is dissected free. After the graft is divided at both ends, it is carefully sutured end-to-end to the severed ends of the injured nerve. Finally, the overlying soft tissues and skin are repaired in layers to complete the procedure. This code is specifically used when the length of the single strand nerve graft is 4 cm or less, while a different code, CPT® 64891, is applicable for grafts exceeding this length.