61559 Excision of skull/sutures
Also known as: extensive skull excision, en bloc resection
Craniotomy with extensive excision of bone flap including intra- and extracranial tumor involvement with wide margins.
In Plain Language
Removal of large skull area with tumor; Extensive skull bone removal
Clinical Context
Performed for large or invasive skull tumors (meningioma with bone invasion, chondrosarcoma) requiring wide margins for oncologic control.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 33.17 |
| Total RVU | 33.17 |
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 33.17, this code ranks in the 94th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.1x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 61559?
CPT 61559 (Excision of skull/sutures) is a Surgery code. Craniotomy with extensive excision of bone flap including intra- and extracranial tumor involvement with wide margins.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 61559?
The work RVU for CPT 61559 is 33.17. This code is primarily used by Neurosurgery, Surgical Oncology, Otolaryngology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 61559 used?
Performed for large or invasive skull tumors (meningioma with bone invasion, chondrosarcoma) requiring wide margins for oncologic control.
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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.