Objective Identify unbundling trends in primary palatoplasty. Design Retrospective study utilizing the American College of Surgeon Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (PNSQIP). Setting Records available from 2016 to 2021. Patients All patients with primary CPT (current procedural terminology) code 42200 (palatoplasty for cleft palate, soft and/or hard palate only). Interventions Cohorts compared “unbundled”: additional CPT code 42235 (repair of anterior palate, including vomer flap) vs. “bundled”: 42200 billed alone. Main outcome measures Operative time, surgical specialty, and other perioperative variables. Results In total, 9827 had primary CPT 42200. Of these, 671 (6.8%) were unbundled. Operative time was longer in unbundled (157.08 min vs. 133.16 min; P &lt; .001). Plastic surgeons were less likely to unbundle (6.2% vs. otolaryngology, 9.12%; P &lt; .001). Conclusions Variations in primary palatoplasty billing exist. Longer operative times in unbundled cases suggest added complexity. Undervaluation of craniofacial CPT codes may contribute to non-standard billing practices.

Ashlie A. Elver

Wesley Q. Zhang

Nancy K. Perry

Jamie Lewis

Laura S. Humphries

Ian C. Hoppe

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal

CLEFT PALATE-CRANIOFACIAL JOURNAL (CPCJ) 是首屈一指的同行评审、跨学科、国际期刊，致力于在与颅面异常相关的所有领域进行当前的病因学、预防、诊断和治疗研究。 CPCJ 报告旨在更好地阐明裂隙和颅面畸形的发病机制、病理学和最佳治疗方法的基础科学和临床研究。该杂志致力于促进各专业专业人士之间的交流与合作。

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (CPCJ) is a leading peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary international journal dedicated to current research in all areas related to craniofacial anomalies, including etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. CPCJ aims to elucidate the mechanisms of occurrence, pathology, and optimal treatment methods for clefts and craniofacial deformities through both basic science and clinical research. The journal is committed to fostering communication and collaboration among professionals across various specialties.

《Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal》（CPCJ）是一本国际同行评审的跨学科期刊，专注于颅面畸形相关领域的最新研究，包括病因学、预防、诊断和治疗。CPCJ的目标是通过基础科学和临床研究，深入探讨裂隙和颅面畸形的发病机制、病理学及最佳治疗方案。该期刊致力于促进各专业人士之间的交流与合作。

Category	Quartile
医学	4
医学, 牙科与口腔外科	4
医学, 外科	4

Recognizing Variations in Primary Palatoplasty Billing: A Review of 9827 Cases

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