Is FBS or FBSS correct?

[blupofol]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I've seen both used in text and conversation, but is there a "correct" term? Or is it just arguing about semantics. Personally, I use "failed back surgery syndrome", but would interested in knowing what was right.

In other words, would I look like an ER doc or PMD by using the phrase "failed back syndrome" (like saying "translaminar ESI" or "RSD")?

thanks ahead of time to anyone with a difinitive answer.

 

[Doctodd]

Correct to who? Also think about cervical or lumbar.....i think the code 722.83 is the same. To other docs i dont think it matters. You can also use post-laminectomy syndrome which will apply to both C and L spines. If you want the definitive answer based on coding, check the icd-9 coding book. I personally like 722.83 cuz it is quicker to write.

T

 

[lobelsteve]

Correct to who? Also think about cervical or lumbar.....i think the code 722.83 is the same. To other docs i dont think it matters. You can also use post-laminectomy syndrome which will apply to both C and L spines. If you want the definitive answer based on coding, check the icd-9 coding book. I personally like 722.83 cuz it is quicker to write.

T

Cervical Post-laminectomy Syndrome (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome-Neck) 722.81
Lumbar Post-laminectomy Syndrome (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome-Back) 722.83

The term post-laminectomy syndrome is more politically correct, but may have no anatomical basis (ACDF) (Microdiskectomy) (ALIF). Use of the numbers negates a descriptor and any negative connotation getting back to your referring surgeon.

I use post-laminectomy syndrome regardless of the type of spine surgery because the word "failed" is pejorative and misleading whereas the term post-laminectomy is often just wrong anatomically.

 

[paz5559]

Cervical Post-laminectomy Syndrome (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome-Neck) 722.81
Lumbar Post-laminectomy Syndrome (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome-Back) 722.83

The term post-laminectomy syndrome is more politically correct, but may have no anatomical basis (ACDF) (Microdiskectomy) (ALIF). Use of the numbers negates a descriptor and any negative connotation getting back to your referring surgeon.

I use post-laminectomy syndrome regardless of the type of spine surgery because the word "failed" is pejorative and misleading whereas the term post-laminectomy is often just wrong anatomically.

For once Dr. Lobel and I are in agreement, which has to imply it can't possibly be the appropriate position.

FBSS, like CLBP, is non-specific, and in-artful terminology. It neither describes the pain generator nor the pathology, and functions as a catch-all phrase when nothing more specific will do. The term also does not assist in determining a therapeutic algorithm, and so is basically a pretty useless label.

The pejorative nature of the term is evident in that there is no such thing as a failed appendectomy syndrome, failed amputation syndrome, failed cancer surgery syndrome, etd, although we all know that these procedures are also often revised over time. Heck, a non-union of a patient s/p ORIF would be failed ortho surgery syndrome, but I guess when you do your own revisions, you are less likely to cast aspersions on your handiwork.

Mind you, that is not to say it is not an appropriate diagnosis to bill under, but in this forum, it strikes me that we can do better.