CPT Codes For Incision and Drainage | Short and Long Descriptions & Lay-Terms

Incision and drainage procedures are commonly performed in various medical settings. These procedures involve making an incision to access an area of the body and draining fluid or pus from it. The CPT codes for Incision and Drainage can be divided into 8 different chapters.

1. CPT Codes for Incision and Drainage for Skin Subcutaneous Abscess

The CPT manual covers nine CPT codes for Skin and Subcutaneous Abscess Drainage. Below you can find the lay terms, short descriptions, and long descriptions of these codes.

1.1 CPT Code 10030

Lay-term: CPT code 10030 is used when a healthcare provider uses imaging guidance to drain fluid from a collection in the soft tissue, such as an abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, or cyst.

Long description: Image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter (eg, abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, cyst), soft tissue (eg, extremity, abdominal wall, neck).

Short description: Image-guided fluid drainage, soft tissue.

1.2 CPT Code 10040

Lay-term: CPT code 10040 is used when a healthcare provider performs acne surgery, which may involve opening or removing multiple milia, comedones, cysts, or pustules.

Long description: Acne surgery (eg, marsupialization, opening or removal of multiple milia, comedones, cysts, pustules).

Short description: Acne surgery.

1.3 CPT Code 10060

Lay-term: CPT code 10060 is used when a healthcare provider performs a simple or single incision and drainage of an abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia.

Long description: Incision and drainage of abscess (eg, carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia); simple or single.

Short description: Simple incision and drainage.

1.4 CPT Code 10061

Lay-term: CPT code 10061 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of an abscess that is complicated or involves multiple sites.

Long description: Incision and drainage of abscess; complicated or multiple.

Short description: Complicated incision and drainage.

1.5 CPT Code 10080

Lay-term: CPT code 10080 is used when a healthcare provider performs a simple incision and drainage of a pilonidal cyst.

Long description: Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; simple.

Short description: Simple incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst.

1.6 CPT Code 10081

Lay-term: CPT code 10081 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of a pilonidal cyst that is complicated.

Long description: Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; complicated.

Short description: Complicated incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst.

1.7 CPT Code 10140

Lay-term: CPT code 10140 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of a hematoma, seroma, or fluid collection.

Long description: Incision and drainage of hematoma, seroma or fluid collection.

Short description: Incision and drainage of fluid collection.

1.8 CPT Code 10160

Lay-term: CPT code 10160 is used when a healthcare provider performs a puncture aspiration of an abscess, hematoma, bulla, or cyst.

Long description: Puncture aspiration of abscess, hematoma, bulla, or cyst.

Short description: Puncture aspiration of fluid collection.

1.9 CPT Code 10180

Lay-term: CPT code 10180 is used when a healthcare provider performs a complex incision and drainage of a postoperative wound infection.

Long description: Incision and drainage, complex, postoperative wound infection.

Short description: Complex incision and drainage of postoperative wound infection.

2. CPT Codes for Incision and Drainage of Deep Abscess and Hematoma

Deep Abscess and Hematoma Drainage procedures contain 12 codes and are described below with a lay term, short descriptions, and long descriptions.

2.1 CPT Code 20005

Lay-term: CPT code 20005 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains an abscess or collection of fluid that is located beneath the deep fascia, a layer of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.

Long description: Incision and drainage of soft tissue abscess, subfascial (ie, involves the soft tissue below the deep fascia).

Short description: Incision and drainage of deep soft tissue abscess.

2.2 CPT Code 21501

Lay-term: CPT code 21501 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a deep abscess or hematoma (a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel) in the soft tissues of the neck or thorax (the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen).

Long description: Incision and drainage, deep abscess or hematoma, soft tissues of neck or thorax.

Short description: Incision and drainage of deep abscess or hematoma in neck or thorax.

2.3 CPT Code 21502

Lay-term: CPT code 21502 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a deep abscess or hematoma in the soft tissues of the neck or thorax and also removes part of a rib.

Long description: Incision and drainage, deep abscess or hematoma, soft tissues of neck or thorax with partial rib ostectomy.

Short description: Incision and drainage of deep abscess or hematoma in neck or thorax with partial rib removal.

2.4 CPT Code 23930

Lay-term: CPT code 23930 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a deep abscess or hematoma in the upper arm or elbow area.

Long description: Incision and drainage, upper arm or elbow area; deep abscess or hematoma.

Short description: Incision and drainage of deep abscess or hematoma in upper arm or elbow area.

2.5 CPT Code 23931

Lay-term: CPT code 23931 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a bursa (a small fluid-filled sac) in the upper arm or elbow area.

Long description: Incision and drainage, upper arm or elbow area; bursa.

Short description: Incision and drainage of bursa in upper arm or elbow area.

2.6 CPT Code 26010

Lay-term: CPT code 26010 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess in a finger using a simple procedure.

Long description: Drainage of finger abscess; simple.

Short description: Simple drainage of finger abscess.

2.7 CPT Code 26011

Lay-term: CPT code 26011 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess in a finger using a complicated procedure, such as when the abscess is a felon (an abscess on the tip of the finger).

Long description: Drainage of finger abscess; complicated (eg, felon).

Short description: Complicated drainage of finger abscess.

2.8 CPT Code 26020

Lay-term: CPT code 26020 is used when a healthcare provider drains a tendon sheath, which is a layer of membrane that covers tendons, in the digit and/or palm.

Long description: Drainage of tendon sheath, digit and/or palm, each.

Short description: Drainage of tendon sheath in digit and/or palm.

2.9 CPT Code 26025

Lay-term: CPT code 26025 is used when a healthcare provider drains a single palmar bursa, which is a small fluid-filled sac in the palm of the hand.

Long description: Drainage of palmar bursa; single, bursa.

Short description: Drainage of single palmar bursa.

2.10 CPT Code 26030

Lay-term: CPT code 26030 is used when a healthcare provider drains multiple bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs, in the palm of the hand.

Long description: Drainage of palmar bursa; multiple bursae.

Short description: Drainage of multiple palmar bursae.

2.11 CPT Code 27301

Lay-term: CPT code 27301 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a deep abscess, bursa, or hematoma in the thigh or knee region.

Long description: Incision and drainage, deep abscess, bursa, or hematoma, thigh or knee region.

Short description: Incision and drainage of deep abscess, bursa, or hematoma in thigh or knee region.

2.12 CPT Code 27303

Lay-term: CPT code 27303 is used when a healthcare provider makes a deep incision and opens the bone cortex, which is the outer layer of bone, in the femur or knee, such as when treating osteomyelitis or a bone abscess.

Long description: Incision, deep, with opening of bone cortex, femur or knee (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess).

Short description: Deep incision with opening of bone cortex in femur or knee.

3. CPT Codes for Specific Site Abscess Incision and Drainage

The following 20 CPT codes describe procedures for Specific Site Abscess Incision and Drainage.

3.1 CPT Code 30000

Lay-term: CPT code 30000 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess or hematoma in the nose using an internal approach.

Long description: Drainage abscess or hematoma, nasal, internal approach.

Short description: Internal nasal abscess or hematoma drainage.

3.2 CPT Code 30020

Lay-term: CPT code 30020 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess or hematoma located in the nasal septum.

Long description: Drainage abscess or hematoma, nasal septum.

Short description: Nasal septum abscess or hematoma drainage.

3.3 CPT Code 40800

Lay-term: CPT code 40800 is used when a healthcare provider drains a simple abscess, cyst, or hematoma in the vestibule of the mouth.

Long description: Drainage of abscess, cyst, hematoma, vestibule of mouth; simple.

Short description: Simple drainage of abscess, cyst, or hematoma in the vestibule of the mouth.

3.4 CPT Code 40801

Lay-term: CPT code 40801 is used when a healthcare provider drains a complicated abscess, cyst, or hematoma in the vestibule of the mouth.

Long description: Drainage of abscess, cyst, hematoma, vestibule of mouth; complicated.

Short description: Complicated drainage of abscess, cyst, or hematoma in the vestibule of the mouth.

3.5 CPT Code 46040

Lay-term: CPT code 46040 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of an ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscess.

Long description: Incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscess (separate procedure).

Short description: Incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscess.

3.6 CPT Code 46045

Lay-term: CPT code 46045 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of an intramural, intramuscular, or submucosal abscess in the anal region under anesthesia.

Long description: Incision and drainage of intramural, intramuscular, or submucosal abscess, transanal, under anesthesia.

Short description: Incision and drainage of intramural, intramuscular, or submucosal abscess, transanal.

3.7 CPT Code 46050

Lay-term: CPT code 46050 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of a superficial perianal abscess.

Long description: Incision and drainage, perianal abscess, superficial.

Short description: Incision and drainage of superficial perianal abscess.

3.8 CPT Code 46060

Lay-term: CPT code 46060 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of an ischiorectal or intramural abscess, with fistulectomy or fistulotomy, submuscular, with or without seton placement.

Long description: Incision and drainage of ischiorectal or intramural abscess, with fistulectomy or fistulotomy, submuscular, with or without seton placement.

Short description: Incision and drainage of ischiorectal or intramural abscess with fistulectomy or fistulotomy.

3.9 CPT Code 60000

Lay-term: CPT code 60000 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of an infected thyroglossal duct cyst.

Long description: Incision and drainage of thyroglossal duct cyst, infected.

Short description: Incision and drainage of infected thyroglossal duct cyst.

3.10 CPT Code 49020

Lay-term:

PT 49020 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess or localized peritonitis, excluding an appendiceal abscess, through an open procedure.

Long description: Drainage of peritoneal abscess or localized peritonitis, exclusive of appendiceal abscess, open.

Short description: Open drainage of peritoneal abscess or localized peritonitis.

3.11 CPT Code 49040

Lay-term: CPT 49040 is used when a healthcare provider drains a subdiaphragmatic or subphrenic abscess through an open procedure.

Long description: Drainage of subdiaphragmatic or subphrenic abscess, open.

Short description: Open drainage of subdiaphragmatic or subphrenic abscess.

3.12 CPT Code 49060

Lay-term: CPT 49060 is used when a healthcare provider drains a retroperitoneal abscess through an open procedure.

Long description: Drainage of retroperitoneal abscess, open.

Short description: Open drainage of retroperitoneal abscess.

3.13 CPT Code 49062

Lay-term: CPT 49062 is used when a healthcare provider drains an extraperitoneal lymphocele to the peritoneal cavity through an open procedure.

Long description: Drainage of extraperitoneal lymphocele to peritoneal cavity, open.

Short description: Open drainage of extraperitoneal lymphocele to peritoneal cavity.

3.14 CPT Code 50020

Lay-term: CPT 50020 is used when a healthcare provider drains a perirenal or renal abscess through an open procedure.

Long description: Drainage of perirenal or renal abscess, open.

Short description: Open drainage of perirenal or renal abscess.

3.15 CPT Code 51080

Lay-term: CPT 51080 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess in the perivesical or prevesical space.

Long description: Drainage of perivesical or prevesical space abscess.

Short description: Drainage of perivesical or prevesical space abscess.

3.16 CPT Code 56405

Lay-term: CPT 56405 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of an abscess in the vulva or perineal area.

Long description: Incision and drainage of vulva or perineal abscess.

Short description: Incision and drainage of vulva or perineal abscess.

3.17 CPT Code 56420

Lay-term: CPT 56420 is used when a healthcare provider performs an incision and drainage of a Bartholin’s gland abscess.

Long description: Incision and drainage of Bartholin’s gland abscess.

Short description: Incision and drainage of Bartholin’s gland abscess.

3.18 CPT Code 57010

Lay-term: CPT 57010 is used when a healthcare provider performs a colpotomy with drainage of a pelvic abscess.

Long description: Colpotomy with drainage of pelvic abscess.

Short description: Colpotomy with drainage of pelvic abscess.

3.19 CPT Code 58820

Lay-term: CPT 58820 is used when a healthcare provider drains an ovarian abscess through a vaginal approach in an open procedure.

Long description: Drainage of ovarian abscess vaginal approach, open.

Short description: Open drainage of ovarian abscess, vaginal approach.

3.20 CPT Code 58822

Lay-term: CPT 58822 is used when a healthcare provider drains an ovarian abscess through an abdominal approach.

Long description: Drainage of ovarian abscess abdominal approach.

Short description: Drainage of ovarian abscess, abdominal approach.

4. CPT Codes for Incision and Drainage in Orthopedics and Trauma

The CPT codes for incision and drainage in orthopedics and trauma cover a range of procedures and are described with 12 CPT codes.

4.1 CPT Code 10140

Lay-term: CPT 10140 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision to drain a collection of blood (hematoma), fluid (seroma), or other fluid from the body.

Long description: Incision and drainage of hematoma, seroma or fluid collection.

Short description: Incision and drainage of fluid.

4.2 CPT Code 11008

Lay-term: CPT 11008 is used when a healthcare provider removes prosthetic material or mesh from the abdominal wall due to an infection. This could be due to a chronic or recurrent mesh infection or a severe skin infection (necrotizing soft tissue infection).

Long description: Removal of prosthetic material or mesh, abdominal wall for infection (eg, for chronic or recurrent mesh infection or necrotizing soft tissue infection), open.

Short description: Removal of prosthetic material due to infection.

4.3 CPT Code 11740

Lay-term: CPT 11740 is used when a healthcare provider drains blood from under a fingernail or toenail.

Long description: Evacuation of subungual hematoma.

Short description: Drainage of blood from under a nail.

4.4 CPT Code 23930

Lay-term: CPT 23930 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision to drain a deep abscess or hematoma in the upper arm or elbow area.

Long description: Incision and drainage, upper arm or elbow area; deep abscess or hematoma.

Short description: Drainage of abscess or hematoma in arm.

4.5 CPT Code 23931

Lay-term: CPT 23931 is used when a healthcare provider drains fluid from a bursa (a small, fluid-filled sac) in the upper arm or elbow area.

Long description: Incision and drainage, upper arm or elbow area; bursa.

Short description: Drainage of bursa in arm.

4.6 CPT Code 27301

Lay-term: CPT code 27301 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a deep abscess, bursa, or hematoma in the thigh or knee region.

Long description: Incision and drainage, deep abscess, bursa, or hematoma, thigh or knee region.

Short description: Incision and drainage of deep abscess, bursa, or hematoma in the thigh or knee.

4.7 CPT Code 27303

Lay-term: CPT code 27303 is used when a healthcare provider makes a deep incision and opens the bone cortex, usually in cases of osteomyelitis or bone abscess, in the femur or knee.

Long description: Incision, deep, with opening of bone cortex, femur or knee (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess).

Short description: Deep incision and opening of bone cortex in the femur or knee.

4.8 CPT Code 27603

Lay-term: CPT code 27603 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a deep abscess or hematoma in the leg or ankle.

Long description: Incision and drainage, leg or ankle; deep abscess or hematoma.

Short description: Incision and drainage of deep abscess or hematoma in the leg or ankle.

4.9 CPT Code 28001

Lay-term: CPT code 28001 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a bursa in the foot.

Long description: Incision and drainage, bursa, foot.

Short description: Incision and drainage of bursa in the foot.

4.10 CPT Code 28002

Lay-term: CPT code 28002 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains a space below the fascia in the foot, which may or may not involve the tendon sheath. This is done for a single bursal space.

Long description: Incision and drainage below fascia, with or without tendon sheath involvement, foot; single bursal space.

Short description: Incision and drainage below fascia in the foot, single bursal space.

4.11 CPT Code 28003

Lay-term: CPT code 28003 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision and drains multiple areas below the fascia in the foot, which may or may not involve the tendon sheath.

Long description: Incision and drainage below fascia, with or without tendon sheath involvement, foot; multiple areas.

Short description: Incision and drainage below fascia in the foot, multiple areas.

4.12 CPT Code 28005

Lay-term: CPT code 28005 is used when a healthcare provider makes an incision in the bone cortex, usually in cases of osteomyelitis or bone abscess, in the foot.

Long description: Incision, bone cortex (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess), foot.

Short description: Incision in bone cortex in the foot.

5. CPT Codes for Incision and Drainage Procedures in Urology

The CPT codes for incision and drainage procedures in urology cover a range of procedures that are described by 11 CPT codes.

5.1 CPT Code 50020

Lay-term: CPT code 50020 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess (a pocket of pus) from the area around the kidney or from the kidney itself, using an open surgical approach.

Long description: Drainage of perirenal or renal abscess, open.

Short description: Open drainage of kidney or perirenal abscess.

5.2 CPT Code 51080

Lay-term: CPT code 51080 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess from the space around the bladder, also known as the perivesical or prevesical space.

Long description: Drainage of perivesical or prevesical space abscess.

Short description: Drainage of abscess around bladder.

5.3 CPT Code 52700

Lay-term: CPT code 52700 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess from the prostate gland using a transurethral approach, which involves inserting a tube through the urethra to reach the prostate.

Long description: Transurethral drainage of prostatic abscess.

Short description: Transurethral drainage of prostate abscess.

5.4 CPT Code 53000

Lay-term: CPT code 53000 is used when a healthcare provider performs a urethrotomy or urethrostomy, which involves making an incision in the urethra, on the pendulous part of the urethra. This is a separate procedure.

Long description: Urethrotomy or urethrostomy, external (separate procedure) pendulous urethra.

Short description: External urethrotomy or urethrostomy of pendulous urethra.

5.5 CPT Code 53010

Lay-term: CPT code 53010 is used when a healthcare provider performs a urethrotomy or urethrostomy, which involves making an incision in the urethra, on the perineal part of the urethra. This is a separate procedure.

Long description: Urethrotomy or urethrostomy, external (separate procedure) perineal urethra, external.

Short description: External urethrotomy or urethrostomy of perineal urethra.

5.6 CPT Code 53020

Lay-term: CPT code 53020 is used when a provider performs a procedure to cut the opening of the urethra (except in infants) to allow for better urine flow or to drain an abscess.

Long description: Meatotomy, cutting of meatus (separate procedure) except infant.

Short description: Urethra opening cut (except infant).

5.7 CPT Code 53025

Lay-term: CPT code 53025 is used when a provider performs a procedure to cut the opening of the urethra in an infant to allow for better urine flow or to drain an abscess.

Long description: Meatotomy, cutting of meatus (separate procedure) infant.

Short description: Urethra opening cut (infant).

5.8 CPT Code 53040

Lay-term: CPT code 53040 is used when a provider performs a procedure to drain a deep abscess around the urethra.

Long description: Drainage of deep periurethral abscess.

Short description: Drainage of deep urethral abscess.

5.9 CPT Code 53060

Lay-term: CPT code 53060 is used when a provider performs a procedure to drain an abscess or cyst from Skene’s gland, which is located near the female urethra.

Long description: Drainage of Skene’s gland abscess or cyst.

Short description: Drainage of Skene’s gland abscess/cyst.

5.10 CPT Code 53080

Lay-term: CPT code 53080 is used when a provider performs a procedure to drain urine that has leaked into the perineal area, which is the area between the anus and the genitals. This is for uncomplicated cases.

Long description: Drainage of perineal urinary extravasation uncomplicated (separate procedure).

Short description: Drainage of uncomplicated perineal urinary leakage.

5.11 CPT Code 53085

Lay-term: CPT code 53085 is used when a provider performs a procedure to drain urine that has leaked into the perineal area, which is the area between the anus and the genitals. This is for complicated cases.

Long description: Drainage of perineal urinary extravasation complicated.

Short description: Drainage of complicated perineal urinary leakage.

6. CPT Codes for Incision and Drainage in Gynecological and Obstetric Procedures

Incision and drainage procedures in gynecology and obstetrics are described by CPT with the following seven codes.

6.1 CPT Code 56405

Lay-term: CPT 56405 is used when a healthcare provider makes a cut and drains an abscess in the vulva or perineal area.

Long description: Incision and drainage of vulva or perineal abscess.

Short description: Drainage of vulva or perineal abscess.

6.2 CPT Code 56420

Lay-term: CPT 56420 is used when a healthcare provider makes a cut and drains an abscess in Bartholin’s gland.

Long description: Incision and drainage of Bartholin’s gland abscess.

Short description: Drainage of Bartholin’s gland abscess.

6.3 CPT Code 57010

Lay-term: CPT 57010 is used when a healthcare provider makes a cut into the vagina to drain a pelvic abscess.

Long description: Colpotomy (vaginal incision) with drainage of pelvic abscess.

Short description: Drainage of pelvic abscess via vaginal incision.

6.4 CPT Code 58820

Lay-term: CPT 58820 is used when a healthcare provider drains an ovarian abscess through a vaginal approach.

Long description: Drainage of ovarian abscess; vaginal approach, open.

Short description: Drainage of ovarian abscess via vaginal approach.

6.5 CPT Code 58822

Lay-term: CPT 58822 is used when a healthcare provider drains an ovarian abscess through an abdominal approach.

Long description: Drainage of ovarian abscess; abdominal approach.

Short description: Drainage of ovarian abscess via abdominal approach.

6.6 CPT Code 59001

Lay-term: CPT 59001 is used when a healthcare provider performs a therapeutic amniocentesis to reduce amniotic fluid.

Long description: Amniocentesis; therapeutic for amniotic fluid reduction (includes ultrasound guidance).

Short description: Therapeutic amniocentesis with ultrasound guidance.

6.7 CPT Code 59074

Lay-term: CPT 59074 is used when a healthcare provider drains fetal fluid, such as from the bladder, chest, or abdomen.

Long description: Fetal fluid drainage (eg, vesicocentesis, thoracocentesis, paracentesis), including ultrasound guidance.

Short description: Fetal fluid drainage with ultrasound guidance.

7. CPT Codes for Incision and Drainage in Ophthalmic Procedures

Incision and drainage procedures in ophthalmology are described with seven different procedural codes by CPT.

7.1 CPT Code 67700

Lay-term: CPT 67700 is used when a healthcare provider makes a cut and drains an abscess in the eyelid.

Long description: Blepharotomy, drainage of abscess, eyelid.

Short description: Drainage of eyelid abscess.

7.2 CPT Code 67710

Lay-term: CPT 67710 is used when a healthcare provider severs a tarsorrhaphy, a procedure that partially sews together the upper and lower eyelids.

Long description: Severing of tarsorrhaphy.

Short description: Severing of tarsorrhaphy.

7.3 CPT Code 67715

Lay-term: CPT 67715 is used when a healthcare provider performs a canthotomy, a procedure that involves cutting the canthus of the eye.

Long description: Canthotomy (separate procedure).

Short description: Canthotomy.

7.4 CPT Code 68020

Lay-term: CPT 68020 is used when a healthcare provider makes a cut into the conjunctiva to drain a cyst.

Long description: Incision of conjunctiva, drainage of cyst.

Short description: Drainage of conjunctival cyst.

7.5 CPT Code 68400

Lay-term: CPT 68400 is used when a healthcare provider makes a cut and drains the lacrimal gland.

Long description: Incision, drainage of lacrimal gland.

Short description: Drainage of lacrimal gland.

7.6 CPT Code 68420

Lay-term: CPT 68420 is used when a healthcare provider makes a cut and drains the lacrimal sac.

Long description: Incision, drainage of lacrimal sac (dacryocystotomy or dacryocystostomy).

Short description: Drainage of lacrimal sac.

7.7 CPT Code 68440

Lay-term: CPT 68440 is used when a healthcare provider makes a small incision in the lacrimal punctum.

Long description: Snip incision of lacrimal punctum.

Short description: Snip incision of lacrimal punctum.

8. CPT Codes for ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Drainage Procedures

12 CPT codes describe ENT drainage procedures according to the CPT manual. These services are used to treat conditions such as abscesses, hematomas, and other issues related to the ear, nose, and throat.

8.1 CPT Code 69000

Lay-term: CPT code 69000 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess or hematoma from the external ear in a simple procedure.

Long description: Drainage external ear, abscess or hematoma; simple.

Short description: Simple drainage of external ear.

8.2. CPT Code 69005

Lay-term: CPT code 69005 is used when a healthcare provider performs a more complex procedure to drain an abscess or hematoma from the external ear.

Long description: Drainage external ear, abscess or hematoma; complicated.

Short description: Complicated drainage of external ear.

8.3. CPT Code 69020

Lay-term: CPT code 69020 is used when a healthcare provider drains an abscess from the external auditory canal.

Long description: Drainage external auditory canal, abscess.

Short description: Drainage of abscess in external auditory canal.

8.4. CPT Code 69421

Lay-term: CPT code 69421 is used when a healthcare provider performs a myringotomy, which includes aspiration and/or eustachian tube inflation, and requires general anesthesia.

Long description: Myringotomy including aspiration and/or eustachian tube inflation requiring general anesthesia.

Short description: Myringotomy with aspiration and/or eustachian tube inflation under general anesthesia.

8.5. CPT Code 69635

Lay-term: CPT code 69635 is used when a healthcare provider performs a tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy, which includes canalplasty, atticotomy, middle ear surgery, and/or tympanic membrane repair, without ossicular chain reconstruction.

Long description: Tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy (including canalplasty, atticotomy, middle ear surgery, and/or tympanic membrane repair); without ossicular chain reconstruction.

Short description: Tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy without ossicular chain reconstruction.

8.6. CPT Code 69636

Lay-term: CPT code 69636 is used when a healthcare provider performs a tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy, which includes canalplasty, atticotomy, middle ear surgery, and/or tympanic membrane repair, with ossicular chain reconstruction.

Long description: Tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy (including canalplasty, atticotomy, middle ear surgery, and/or tympanic membrane repair); with ossicular chain reconstruction.

Short description: Tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy with ossicular chain reconstruction.

8.7. CPT Code 69637

Lay-term: CPT code 69637 is used when a healthcare provider performs a tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy, which includes canalplasty, atticotomy, middle ear surgery, and/or tympanic membrane repair, with ossicular chain reconstruction and synthetic prosthesis.

Long description: Tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy (including canalplasty, atticotomy, middle ear surgery, and/or tympanic membrane repair); with ossicular chain reconstruction and synthetic prosthesis (eg, partial ossicular replacement prosthesis [PORP], total ossicular replacement prosthesis [TORP]).

Short description: Tympanoplasty with antrotomy or mastoidotomy with ossicular chain reconstruction and synthetic prosthesis.

8.8. CPT Code 69801

Lay-term: CPT code 69801 is used when a healthcare provider performs a labyrinthotomy, with perfusion of vestibuloactive drug(s), transcanal.

Long description: Labyrinthotomy, with perfusion of vestibuloactive drug(s), transcanal.

Short description: Labyrinthotomy with perfusion of vestibuloactive drugs, transcanal.

8.9. CPT Code 69805

Lay-term: CPT code 69805 is used when a healthcare provider performs an endolymphatic sac operation without a shunt.

Long description: Endolymphatic sac operation; without shunt.

Short description: Endolymphatic sac operation without shunt.

8.10. CPT Code 69806

Lay-term: CPT code 69806 is used when a healthcare provider performs an endolymphatic sac operation with a shunt.

Long description: Endolymphatic sac operation; with shunt.

Short description: Endolymphatic sac operation with shunt.

8.11. CPT Code 69905

Lay-term: CPT code 69905 is used when a healthcare provider performs a labyrinthectomy, transcanal.

Long description: Labyrinthectomy; transcanal.

Short description: Labyrinthectomy, transcanal.

8.12. CPT Code 69910

Lay-term: CPT code 69910 is used when a healthcare provider performs a labyrinthectomy with mastoidectomy.

Long description: Labyrinthectomy; with mastoidectomy.

Short description: Labyrinthectomy with mastoidectomy.