Subject(s)
Nail Diseases , Nails, Malformed , Humans , Male , Nail Diseases/diagnosis , Nails, Malformed/diagnosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dermatologists specialize in treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails; however, it is our experience that the field of nail diseases is the least discussed facet of dermatology. Even less acknowledged is the complexity of nail procedures and how best to accurately code for these procedures. OBJECTIVE: To convene a panel of experts in nail disease to reach consensus on the most accurate and appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes associated with the most commonly performed nail procedures. METHODS: A questionnaire including 9 of the most commonly performed nail procedures and potential CPT codes was sent to experts in the treatment of nail disease, defined as those clinicians running a nail subspecialty clinic and performing nail procedures with regularity. A conference call was convened to discuss survey results. RESULTS: Unanimous consensus was reached on the appropriate CPT codes associated with all discussed procedures. LIMITATIONS: Although this article details the most commonly performed nail procedures, many were excluded and billing for these procedures continues to be largely subjective. This article is meant to serve as a guide for clinicians but should not be impervious to interpretation in specific clinical situations. CONCLUSION: Billing of nail procedures remains a practice gap within our field. The authors hope that the expert consensus on the most appropriate CPT codes associated with commonly performed nail procedures will aid clinicians as they diagnose and treat disorders of the nail unit and encourage accurate and complete billing practices.
Subject(s)
Current Procedural Terminology , Dermatologic Surgical Procedures/economics , Dermatology/standards , Nail Diseases/economics , Professional Practice Gaps/statistics & numerical data , Consensus , Dermatologic Surgical Procedures/standards , Dermatologists/statistics & numerical data , Dermatology/economics , Humans , Nail Diseases/surgery , Nails/surgery , Professional Practice Gaps/economics , Surveys and Questionnaires/statistics & numerical dataSubject(s)
Facial Nerve Injuries/etiology , Facial Paralysis/etiology , Mohs Surgery/adverse effects , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Surgical Flaps/adverse effects , Aged , Carcinoma, Basal Cell/surgery , Cheek/innervation , Facial Nerve Injuries/diagnosis , Facial Paralysis/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/surgery , Surgical Flaps/transplantation , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Successful nail surgery requires an understanding of specific disease processes, the anatomy of the nail unit, and fluency with only a few key techniques. This article focuses on 6 high-yield procedures, facility with which will allow the clinician to approach most of the clinical scenarios requiring surgical intervention. These encompass surgical approaches to inflammatory nail diseases, melanonychia, erythronychia, and nail melanoma in situ.
Subject(s)
Melanoma , Nail Diseases , Skin Neoplasms , Humans , Melanoma/surgery , Nail Diseases/surgery , Nails/surgery , Skin Neoplasms/surgerySubject(s)
Docetaxel/adverse effects , Nails, Ingrown/diagnosis , Nails/drug effects , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Tubulin Modulators/adverse effects , Aged , Humans , Male , Nails/growth & development , Nails/surgery , Nails, Ingrown/chemically induced , Nails, Ingrown/surgery , Toes , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Petroleum jelly has long been a favorite treatment option of dermatologists for atopic dermatitis, despite complaints of "greasiness" by patients and their parents. Here, we describe a simple application method that effectively traps moisture against the skin while leaving behind only a thin layer of product, thus eliminating the "greasiness" associated with petroleum jelly.