Ask Dr. Z

Please let me know if 20552 is the appropriate code to bill for this procedure since code 64646 requires surgical exposure or electromyographic needle insertion to the muscle. "INDICATIONS: Ventral hernia without obstruction or gangrene. COMPARISON: None. PROCEDURE: After informed consent, the skin in the mid axillary lines was prepped and draped. A timeout was performed. Prior to each procedure, 8 cc of 1% lidocaine was injected into the abdominal wall. Right abdominal wall injection: Using ultrasound guidance a 20 gauge needle was placed into the right external oblique muscle. It was injected with 50 units of Botox. There are no procedural complications. Left abdominal wall injection: Using ultrasound guidance, a 20 gauge needle was placed into the left external oblique muscle. It was injected with 50 units of Botox. There are no procedural complications. IMPRESSION: Successful bilateral ultrasound-guided abdominal wall injections with Botox."