Finally, discuss what you found interesting and how this will benefit an inpatient coder. Be sure to share the Coding Clinic reference, including the quarter and pages of your coding clinic. Question: The patient presented with a postoperative wound infection following spinal fusion surgery, and underwent decompressive laminectomy, with removal of Coflex device and incision and drainage. Decompression was performed bilaterally from L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5. The thecal sac was then free of compression. For this type of procedure, the surgeon will typically document release of "thecal sac." What is the appropriate body part for the decompressive laminectomies, spinal cord or spinal meninges? Answer: The spinal cord is the body part value because that is the structure being released. Assign the following ICD-10-PCS code: 00NY0ZZ Release lumbar spinal cord, open approach This advice is consistent with information published in Coding Clinic Fourth Quarter 2013, page 116,Second Quarter 2015, page 21, and Second Quarter 2017, page 23. References: 3M Health Information Systems. (n.d.). 3M Encoder. Retrieved June 6, 2025, from https://3m-usa.ahima.org/reference2/index.html?file=cc.ref&RepId=1 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic (2020). Decompressive laminectomy (release of spinal cord versus release of spinal meninges). ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic, Third Quarter ICD-10 2018 Page: 30 Effective with discharges: September 24, 2018