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51800 - Surgical Assistance in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Fee ≤ $636.05)

MBS service description:

Assistance by an approved dental practitioner in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery at any operation mentioned in an item that includes “(Assist.)” for which the fee does not exceed $636.05 or at a series or combination of operations mentioned in an item in Groups O3 to O9 that include “(Assist.)” for which the aggregate fee does not exceed $636.05 (H)
Schedule Fee:
98.3
@85% Benefit Fee:
@75% Benefit Fee:
Last updated on
March 29, 2025

When is item code 51800 (Surgical Assistance in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Fee ≤ $636.05)) typically used?

The need for assistance by an approved dental practitioner during oral and maxillofacial surgeries arises from the technical complexity and precision required in procedures costing up to $636.05. These operations, often performed in a hospital setting, involve intricate interventions such as fracture repairs, cyst removals, or soft tissue reconstructions, where an additional skilled practitioner enhances safety and efficiency. The assistant’s role is critical in supporting the primary surgeon by managing instruments, maintaining the surgical field, and providing immediate aid during unexpected challenges, ensuring the procedure adheres to high standards of care.

This assistance is particularly necessary in scenarios such as:

  • Complex anatomy: Surgeries involving the jaw, facial bones, or deep tissues require precise retraction or stabilization, which an assistant facilitates to prevent damage to nerves or blood vessels.
  • General anesthesia: With the primary surgeon focused on the operative site, the assistant monitors patient positioning and assists with airway management, critical in prolonged procedures.
  • Emergency response: Intraoperative complications like excessive bleeding or equipment failure demand a second pair of hands to maintain control and patient stability.
  • Time efficiency: For less costly but still intricate procedures (e.g., small tumor excisions), assistance speeds up the process, reducing anesthesia duration and patient risk.

For example, during a mandibular fracture repair costing under $636.05, the assistant might hold retractors to expose the fracture site while the surgeon aligns and fixes the bone, ensuring a clear view and steady hands. In aged care or hospital patients with comorbidities, this support becomes even more vital to manage frailty or sudden medical events. The fee cap reflects simpler or shorter procedures within Category 4, yet the assistant’s presence remains essential to uphold quality, minimize errors, and enhance outcomes, particularly in a field where precision can determine functional and aesthetic success.

Benefits to the patient

When surgeons enlist an approved dental practitioner to assist in oral and maxillofacial surgeries with fees up to $636.05, the benefits for their patients are significant and multifaceted. A primary advantage is improved surgical precision. The assistant’s support in tasks like tissue retraction and instrument handling ensures that procedures—such as jaw realignment or cyst removal—are executed with exceptional accuracy, crucial in the delicate oral and facial region where errors can affect the patient’s function or aesthetics. This precision enhances outcomes, giving surgeons confidence in the procedure’s success. Another benefit is the reduction of procedure time. The assistant streamlines the workflow, allowing surgeons to focus on critical steps, which shortens the patient’s time under anesthesia and accelerates their recovery—a key consideration for surgeons exploring 'faster oral surgery recovery.' Most notably, this assistance enhances patient safety. The additional expertise minimizes risks like bleeding or nerve damage by maintaining a controlled environment, vital for complex cases. For surgeons researching 'benefits of assisted oral surgery' or 'maxillofacial surgery safety,' this service ensures patients experience a safer, more efficient process with superior results, all within a cost-effective range, whether for a single operation or a series in Groups O3 to O9.

Recovery considerations

Recovery depends on the primary procedure; assistance itself adds no additional recovery burden.

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