Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Practice Test

A patient with spinal stenosis at the C5-C7 level underwent which surgical procedures?

1. Cervical discectomy only

2. Cervical fusion and disc replacement

3. Cervical discectomy, corpectomy, and instrumentation

4. Cervical laminectomy

The correct answer is: Cervical discectomy, corpectomy, and instrumentation

For a patient with spinal stenosis specifically at the C5-C7 level, the most appropriate surgical procedure would be cervical discectomy, corpectomy, and instrumentation. Cervical discectomy involves the removal of a portion of the intervertebral disc to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, which is beneficial for addressing the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Corpectomy, on the other hand, entails the removal of a vertebra and adjacent discs, thus creating additional space for the spinal cord, which may be necessary in severe cases of stenosis where disc alone may not resolve compression. The instrumentation part refers to the use of hardware to stabilize the spine after such significant removals, which is often needed to maintain structural integrity and alignment. This comprehensive approach addresses both the symptoms and the underlying structural issues that spinal stenosis can cause. Other options do not fully reflect the typical or necessary interventions for managing significant spinal stenosis at this level. For instance, a cervical laminectomy might be suitable for certain cases but does not typically combine the benefits of discectomy and corpectomy when there’s severe stenosis.