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Official Description

Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; simple

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A pilonidal cyst is a type of cyst that forms in the skin, typically located just above the cleft of the buttocks. It often contains hair, skin debris, and can become infected, leading to the formation of an abscess. When this occurs, a medical procedure known as incision and drainage is performed to alleviate the infection and remove the contents of the cyst. During this procedure, the affected area is first cleansed, and a local anesthetic is administered to minimize discomfort. A straight or elliptical incision is then made to access the cyst, allowing for the drainage of pus and other materials. The procedure also involves the removal of hair and debris, as well as the epithelial lining of the cyst, which is accomplished through a technique called curettage. This procedure is classified as simple and is coded as CPT® Code 10080. It is important to note that for more complicated cases, which may require additional interventions such as the placement of a drain or packing with gauze, CPT® Code 10081 should be used instead.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of incision and drainage of a pilonidal cyst is indicated in the following situations:

  • Infected Pilonidal Cyst The procedure is performed when a pilonidal cyst becomes infected, leading to the formation of an abscess that requires drainage.
  • Presence of Fluctuance The procedure is indicated when there is noticeable fluctuance in the cyst, indicating the accumulation of pus that needs to be released.

2. Procedure

The procedure for incision and drainage of a pilonidal cyst involves several key steps:

  • Preparation The skin over the pilonidal cyst is thoroughly cleansed to reduce the risk of infection. A local anesthetic is then injected into the area to ensure the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the procedure.
  • Incision A straight or elliptical incision is made that spans the entire area of fluctuance. This incision allows access to the cyst and any associated abscess.
  • Blunt Dissection Using blunt dissection techniques, any pockets of pus within the cyst are opened. This step is crucial for ensuring that all infected material is adequately drained.
  • Drainage The abscess is drained completely, allowing for the removal of pus and other debris that may be present within the cyst.
  • Removal of Contents Hair and debris are carefully removed from the cyst. Additionally, the epithelial lining of the cyst is excised through a process known as curettage, which helps to prevent recurrence.

3. Post-Procedure

After the incision and drainage procedure, appropriate post-procedure care is essential for optimal healing. The area may be cleaned and dressed as necessary to promote healing and prevent infection. Patients are typically advised on how to care for the wound at home, including keeping the area clean and dry. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor the healing process and to ensure that there are no complications. It is important for patients to report any signs of increased redness, swelling, or discharge, as these may indicate a need for further medical evaluation.

Short Descr I&D PILONIDAL CYST SIMPLE
Medium Descr INCISION & DRAINAGE PILONIDAL CYST SIMPLE
Long Descr Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; simple
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6A - Minor procedures - skin
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 174 - Other non-OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
E2 Lower left, eyelid
F2 Left hand, third digit
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
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2024-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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