Extremophiles-Organisms Thriving in Harshest of the Environments. Article Summary: 'Extremophile' is a term that refers to bacteria that are able to grow and sustain in extremely harsh environments when compared to the environments that are termed as favourable for the growth of bacteria.
Question: One of the surgeons in my practice coded an Akin procedure as 28310, but CPT lists it as 28298. Which code is correct? Answer: According to the Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics, an Akin procedure is a closing wedge osteotomy of the first toe (hallux) proximal phalanx with excision of the medial eminence. It is performed to correct the condition hallux valgus (735.0), where the deformity is located at the interphalangeal joint. Code 28298 (Lapidus type procedure; by phalanx osteotomy) describes this procedure.
Aetna considers minimally invasive, off-pump Maze procedures, also known as thoracoscopic off-pump surgical ablation (TOPS), experimental and investigational for atrial fibrillation or flutter because there is insufficient evidence of their effectiveness. See also CPB 0019 - Holter Monitors.The Maze procedure is a surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in which multiple atrial incisions interrupt the pathogenic reentrant circuits and also direct the sinus impulses to the AV node along a specified route.etna considers minimally invasive, off-pump Maze procedures, also known as thoracoscopic off-pump surgical ablation (TOPS), experimental and investigational for atrial fibrillation or flutter because there is insufficient evidence of their effectiveness. See also CPB 0019 - Holter Monitors.