Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Practice Test

Does the procedure for an adjustable suture have to occur in the operating room?

1. Yes, it must be immediate

2. No, it can be done anywhere

3. Only if done in the outpatient setting

4. No, but it needs to coincide with the primary procedure

The correct answer is: No, but it needs to coincide with the primary procedure

The procedure for an adjustable suture does indeed need to coincide with the primary procedure, which is why the correct answer is that it does not have to occur in the operating room but must be performed in conjunction with the initial surgery. Adjustable sutures are often placed during a surgical procedure, typically for the correction of strabismus, and can be manipulated postoperatively to fine-tune the alignment of the eye. While the adjustment itself may not have to happen in the operating room, it is essential that it occurs close to the time of the primary procedure to ensure that the alignment adjustments are timely and effective. This timing allows for an efficient assessment of the surgical result while the patient is still under observation, reducing the risk of complications that could arise from delays. The other answer choices may suggest contexts where the suture adjustments could be performed independently, which does not align with standard protocols dictating that adjustments should be made in relation to the initial surgery for optimal outcomes.