Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
A labyrinthectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the inner ear structures, specifically the labyrinth, which is a complex system of canals and cavities located within the petrous portion of the temporal bone. The labyrinth is composed of two main layers: the bony labyrinth, which provides structural support, and the membranous labyrinth, which contains the sensory organs responsible for balance and hearing. This procedure is primarily indicated for patients suffering from Meniere's disease, a condition characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The labyrinthectomy is effective in alleviating the debilitating symptoms of Meniere's disease by excising the affected inner ear structures that disrupt balance. It is crucial to note that this procedure is only performed on patients who have little to no residual hearing in the affected ear, as the removal of the inner ear will result in complete deafness in that ear. The specific approach for this procedure, as denoted by CPT® Code 69905, is the transcanal approach, which involves accessing the inner ear through the ear canal, allowing for a minimally invasive surgical technique.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The labyrinthectomy procedure is indicated for specific conditions and symptoms that necessitate intervention. The primary indication for performing a labyrinthectomy is:
The labyrinthectomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful access and removal of the inner ear structures. The steps are as follows:
After the labyrinthectomy procedure, patients typically require monitoring for any immediate complications. Post-operative care may include pain management and instructions for activity restrictions to promote healing. Patients should be informed about the expected recovery process, which may involve a period of adjustment as the body adapts to the loss of hearing and balance function in the affected ear. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and address any concerns that may arise during the recovery phase.
| Short Descr | REMOVE INNER EAR | Medium Descr | LABYRINTHECTOMY TRANSCANAL | Long Descr | Labyrinthectomy; transcanal | 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) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | 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) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 26 - Other therapeutic ear procedures |
| 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. | 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). | 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. | 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.) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.