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Official Description

Orbitotomy without bone flap (frontal or transconjunctival approach); with removal of lesion

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 67412 involves an orbitotomy performed without the creation of a bone flap, utilizing either a frontal or transconjunctival approach. This surgical intervention is primarily aimed at exploring the orbit, which is the bony cavity that houses the eye, and is typically indicated for the removal of lesions or foreign bodies located within this area. The transconjunctival approach allows access to the orbit through an incision made in the conjunctiva, which is the membrane covering the eye, either in the upper or lower fornix. This method minimizes external scarring and provides direct access to the orbital contents. During the procedure, the surgeon carefully dissects the soft tissues to expose the area of interest, which may involve locating a cystic or solid tumor. The tumor is meticulously dissected from the surrounding tissues, ensuring that all abnormal tissue is removed along with a margin of healthy tissue to facilitate accurate pathology evaluation. In cases where a foreign body is present, it is either grasped with forceps for removal or dissected from the surrounding tissue. Post-removal, the surgical site is irrigated with sterile saline or an antibiotic solution as necessary, and the soft tissues, including the conjunctiva, are closed in layers to promote proper healing.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The orbitotomy procedure described by CPT® Code 67412 is indicated for various conditions that necessitate exploration and intervention within the orbit. These indications include:

  • Lesion Removal The procedure is performed to remove lesions, which may be cystic or solid tumors, that are located within the orbit and require surgical intervention for diagnosis or treatment.
  • Foreign Body Retrieval This procedure is indicated when a foreign body is present in the orbit, necessitating its removal to prevent further complications or damage to the ocular structures.

2. Procedure

The orbitotomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective exploration and removal of lesions or foreign bodies. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Approach Selection The surgeon selects either a frontal or transconjunctival approach based on the location of the lesion or foreign body. The transconjunctival approach involves making an incision in the upper or lower conjunctival fornix, allowing for direct access to the orbit without external scarring.
  • Step 2: Soft Tissue Dissection Once the incision is made, the surgeon carefully dissects the soft tissues surrounding the orbit to expose the area of interest. This dissection is performed with precision to minimize trauma to adjacent structures.
  • Step 3: Lesion Identification and Removal The surgeon locates the lesion, which may be a cystic or solid tumor. The tumor is then meticulously dissected free from the surrounding tissue, ensuring that all abnormal tissue is removed along with a margin of normal tissue to facilitate accurate pathology evaluation.
  • Step 4: Foreign Body Management If a foreign body is identified during the procedure, it is either grasped with forceps for removal or carefully dissected from the surrounding tissue to avoid further injury to the orbit.
  • Step 5: Wound Irrigation After the lesion or foreign body has been removed, the surgical site is flushed with sterile saline or an antibiotic solution as needed to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Step 6: Closure The soft tissues and conjunctiva are then closed in layers to ensure proper healing and restore the integrity of the orbital area.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the orbitotomy procedure, patients may require specific post-operative care to ensure optimal recovery. This includes monitoring for any signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper healing of the surgical site. Patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities and follow-up appointments will be scheduled to assess healing and discuss pathology results from the removed lesion. Additionally, any necessary adjustments to medications or further treatments will be determined based on the findings from the procedure.

Short Descr EXPLORE/TREAT EYE SOCKET
Medium Descr ORBITOTOMY W/O BONE FLAP W/REMOVAL LESION
Long Descr Orbitotomy without bone flap (frontal or transconjunctival approach); with removal of lesion
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) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
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 Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P4E - Eye procedure - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 21 - Other extraocular muscle and orbit therapeutic procedures
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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).
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left 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.
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
73 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may cancel a surgical or diagnostic procedure subsequent to the patient's surgical preparation (including sedation when provided, and being taken to the room where the procedure is to be performed), but prior to the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s) or general). under these circumstances, the intended service that is prepared for but cancelled can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 73. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
E4 Lower right, eyelid
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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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