Mediastinoscopy
3940139402wRVU: 7.07 — Mediastinoscopy with lymph node biopsy(ies) (e.g., lung cancer staging) — standalone primary code, not an add-on; 7.07 wRVU, 0-day global. This is the standard code for lung cancer mediastinal staging.
[Lung mass / mediastinal lymphadenopathy / anterior mediastinal mass], requiring tissue diagnosis and/or mediastinal staging
Same
Cervical mediastinoscopy with lymph node biopsy, stations [2R, 4R, 7 / 2L, 4L, 7]
[Attending name], MD/DO
[Resident/PA name]
General endotracheal
The patient is a [age]-year-old [male/female] with [right upper lobe lung mass / mediastinal adenopathy] on PET-CT, [with FDG-avid paratracheal / subcarinal lymphadenopathy] requiring pathologic mediastinal staging prior to resection [/ systemic therapy]. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) was [not performed / non-diagnostic / confirmed N2 disease requiring confirmatory open staging]. The risks, benefits, and alternatives were discussed and informed consent was obtained.
Mediastinoscopy confirmed access to [stations 2R, 4R, 7]. Lymph nodes were [enlarged / soft / firm / with anthracotic pigment]. Frozen section of station [X] nodes demonstrated [no malignancy / metastatic adenocarcinoma / reactive lymphoid tissue]. Final pathology is pending. The great vessels, trachea, and esophagus were not injured.
The patient was positioned supine with a shoulder roll extending the neck. A [2–3]-cm transverse cervical incision was made one fingerbreadth above the sternal notch. The platysma was divided. The pretracheal fascia was entered and the plane anterior to the trachea was developed bluntly with the finger.
The mediastinoscope was inserted into the pretracheal plane and advanced to the carina. The innominate artery, trachea, and major mediastinal structures were identified.
Lymph node biopsy was performed at the following stations:
- Station 2R (right upper paratracheal): [X] cm³ tissue obtained
- Station 4R (right lower paratracheal): [X] cm³ tissue obtained
- Station 7 (subcarinal): [X] cm³ tissue obtained
All biopsies were taken with [cup biopsy forceps / suction biopsy] under direct visualization. Hemostasis was achieved with [electrocautery / pressure]. No vascular injury was encountered. The mediastinoscope was withdrawn. The wound was irrigated. Platysma was closed with [3-0 Vicryl]. Skin was closed with [3-0 Monocryl].
None
Station 2R lymph nodes: sent to pathology [and frozen section]
Station 4R lymph nodes: sent to pathology [and frozen section]
Station 7 lymph nodes: sent to pathology [and frozen section]
Minimal
None
The patient was taken to the PACU in stable condition. Post-operative chest X-ray confirmed no pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. The patient was discharged home same day [/ admitted for staging results]. Results were to guide resection vs. systemic therapy planning.
Epic SmartPhrase Version
PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: *** with mediastinal adenopathy, staging
POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Same
PROCEDURE PERFORMED: Cervical mediastinoscopy with LN biopsy, stations ***
ATTENDING: ***, MD/DO
ASSISTANT: ***
ANESTHESIA: General endotracheal
INDICATIONS: .PTAGE-year-old .PTSEX with *** and FDG-avid mediastinal nodes. Pathologic staging required. Consent obtained.
FINDINGS: Stations 2R/4R/7 accessed. Nodes ***. Frozen: ***. No vascular injury.
PROCEDURE:
Supine, shoulder roll, neck extended. *** cm transverse incision above sternal notch. Platysma divided. Pretracheal fascia entered, blunt dissection. Scope into pretracheal plane to carina. Innominate artery/trachea identified. Biopsies: Station 2R (***), Station 4R (***), Station 7 (***). Hemostasis. Scope withdrawn. Irrigated. Platysma 3-0 Vicryl. Skin closed. CXR: no pneumothorax.
EBL: Minimal
SPECIMENS: LNs from stations *** to path/frozen
COMPLICATIONS: None
DISPOSITION: PACU, same-day discharge. Results guide further management.
Signed: .ME, .MYDEGREE
.TODAYVariants
Anterior Mediastinotomy (Chamberlain Procedure)
For aortopulmonary window and left-sided station 5/6 nodes inaccessible by cervical mediastinoscopy, an anterior mediastinotomy (Chamberlain procedure) was performed. A [3]-cm incision was made over the [left / right] second costal cartilage. The cartilage was [partially / completely] resected. The mediastinal pleura was [avoided / entered]. Direct visualization of the aortopulmonary window allowed biopsy of station [5 / 6] lymph nodes. This approach is the standard for left-sided N2 staging when EBUS is non-diagnostic.
Charting Tips
- Document each lymph node station biopsied by AJCC/IASLC number. A mediastinoscopy report that says 'lymph nodes sampled' without documenting stations is staging-incomplete. Each station must be listed with laterality (2R, 4R, 7 for cervical scope; 5, 6 for anterior mediastinotomy).
- Document proximity to the innominate artery. The innominate (brachiocephalic) artery crosses the anterior trachea at the level of the right paratracheal nodes and is among the most dangerous structures during mediastinoscopy — along with the azygos vein (vulnerable during station 4R biopsy) and pulmonary arteries. Major hemorrhage incidence is 0.1–0.6% overall; innominate and pulmonary artery injuries are most rapidly fatal (requiring sternotomy for control). Document that the innominate artery was identified and all biopsies were taken under direct visualization away from major vascular structures.
- Document frozen section results and intraoperative decision-making. If frozen section confirms N2 disease, the operative plan changes (no immediate resection; systemic therapy first). Document the frozen section result and the decision made at that time.
Billing Tips
- 39401 (mediastinoscopy with biopsy of mediastinal mass, e.g., lymphoma — 5.30 wRVU) vs 39402 (mediastinoscopy with lymph node biopsy(ies), e.g., lung cancer staging — 7.07 wRVU). Both are standalone primary codes, not add-ons. 39401 is for biopsy of a discrete mediastinal mass; 39402 is for lymph node sampling (the usual lung staging case). Use 39402 for lung cancer staging — it captures the purpose of the procedure and carries the higher wRVU.
- Global period is 0 days (endoscopic). No post-procedure global period applies; same-day or next-day complications can be billed separately.
- EBUS-TBNA is an alternative staging modality billed under bronchoscopy codes — do not use mediastinoscopy codes for endobronchial ultrasound. EBUS-guided aspiration uses 31652 (1–2 mediastinal/hilar stations, 4.35 wRVU) or 31653 (3 or more stations, 4.84 wRVU). CPT 31629 is for BLIND (non-EBUS) TBNA and should NOT be used when EBUS guidance is performed — this is a common compliance error (ATS billing alert).
- If mediastinoscopy is performed immediately before a planned thoracotomy/lobectomy and a positive node aborts the resection, bill mediastinoscopy (39402) and the exploratory thoracotomy separately. The correct thoracotomy code is 32100 (thoracotomy with exploration, 13.41 wRVU, 90-day global). Do not use 32900 — that is 'resection of ribs, extrapleural' (a thoracoplasty/collapse therapy code); do not use 39000 — that is an open cervical mediastinotomy, not a thoracotomy.
- For open mediastinal exploration without scope: 39000 (cervical mediastinotomy, 7.38 wRVU, 90-day global) or 39010 (transthoracic mediastinotomy, 12.86 wRVU, 90-day global). Both carry 90-day global periods — unlike mediastinoscopy (39401/39402), which is 0-day. Document approach and indication. The 90-day global means routine follow-up is bundled and separate billing for routine post-op visits is not permitted.
- Document stations biopsied (IASLC nomenclature: 2R, 4R, 4L, 7, etc.). Station-specific documentation supports oncologic accuracy and defensibility if audited.
- Frozen section pathology performed intraoperatively is not separately billable by the surgeon; pathologist bills separately.
General coding reference. Verify with your institution’s billing department before submitting claims.