61557 Incise skull/sutures
Also known as: dural incision, dural opening
Incision and opening of dural membrane with separation of bridging veins or meningeal structures for intracranial access.
In Plain Language
Opening the brain covering membrane; Incision of brain lining
Clinical Context
Performed as component of craniotomy for access to intracranial structures. Requires careful hemostasis to prevent subdural hematoma.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 22.73 |
| Total RVU | 22.73 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 22.73, this code ranks in the 86th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.8x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 61557?
CPT 61557 (Incise skull/sutures) is a Surgery code. Incision and opening of dural membrane with separation of bridging veins or meningeal structures for intracranial access.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 61557?
The work RVU for CPT 61557 is 22.73. This code is primarily used by Neurosurgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 61557 used?
Performed as component of craniotomy for access to intracranial structures. Requires careful hemostasis to prevent subdural hematoma.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.