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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 01/18/2025 4:03 AM
Question 20150011
Inquiry Details
References:
2015 SEER Manual. App C
Question:
Surgery Primary Site--Breast: Please clarify how to code both simple mastectomy with tissue expander and AlloDerm reconstruction, and simple mastectomy with tissue expander (NOS). See discussion.
Discussion:
There are multiple SEER Notes in the Breast Surgery Codes of Appendix C instructing us to code tissue expanders as reconstruction but none address the type of reconstruction to be coded.
1. Is a tissue expander always equivalent to Implant reconstruction?
2. Is AlloDerm always equivalent to Tissue reconstruction?
3. Is the combination of AlloDerm and tissue expander always equivalent to Combined (tissue and implant) reconstruction?
Answer:
Do not code AlloDerm as either a tissue or implant reconstruction, it is a graft material that usually accompanies implant reconstruction. Placement of a tissue expander is an indication of planned reconstruction. Additional information is needed to determine whether the reconstruction involves tissue or implant.
1. A tissue expander is not always equivalent to Implant reconstruction
2. AlloDerm is not equivalent to tissue reconstruction
3. The combination of AlloDerm and tissue expander is not equivalent to combined (tissue and implant) reconstruction
