A 20-year-old male underwent an arthroscopic knee meniscectomy on the right side including meniscal shaving. What code is appropriate?

The appropriate code for the scenario provided is 29881-RT. This code is used specifically for arthroscopic surgery of the knee, which encompasses procedures like a meniscectomy, where a portion of the meniscus is removed, as well as meniscal shaving, which refers to the smoothing or cleaning of the meniscal surface.

When coding surgical procedures, specificity is crucial. The "RT" designation indicates that the procedure was performed on the right knee, ensuring clarity in documentation and billing. The code 29881 reflects both the meniscectomy and any associated procedures, aligning perfectly with the details given about the patient's surgical intervention.

In this context, the other options do not pertain to this specific surgical procedure. Codes like 17381 or 11420 describe completely different operations or anatomical sites and thus would not be applicable in this case. The importance of using the correct code such as 29881-RT lies in accurate representation for medical records, insurance claims, and the overall integrity of the coding process in healthcare.