Ask Dr. Z

Which code is more appropriate in this scenario? 27884 or 11042/97605? (Note, seen for peripheral vascular disease.)  "PROCEDURE PERFORMED: 1) Irrigation and debridement of a non-healing below-knee amputation wound. 2) Wound VAC placement. DESCRIPTION: Patient was transferred to the operative suite and laid in the supine position. After proper sedation, she was sterilely prepped and draped in the usual fashion. Proper time-out procedure was performed. Next, we debrided all the necrotic tissue, as well as a tendon that was occupying a large space within the below-knee amputation stump. After this was resected, Pulsavac was used to irrigate the area significantly. There was some bleeding without the wound, although the muscle did not look completely healthy. However, at this point we decided to place a VAC and try our best to heal this wound. VAC was placed without any difficulty. Patient tolerated the procedure. There were no complications. The patient will be discharged to her extended care facility."