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A pilonidal cyst is a type of cyst that typically forms in the area just above the cleft of the buttocks. It is often filled with hair, skin debris, and other materials. When a pilonidal cyst becomes infected, it can lead to the formation of an abscess, which is a collection of pus that can cause significant discomfort and pain. In such cases, a surgical procedure known as incision and drainage is performed to alleviate the symptoms and treat the infection. 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 and any associated abscess. The surgeon carefully opens any pockets of pus using blunt dissection techniques, allowing for effective drainage. Following the drainage, the surgeon removes any hair and debris present within the cyst, as well as the epithelial lining, which is typically accomplished through a process called curettage. It is important to note that CPT® Code 10080 is designated for a simple incision and drainage procedure that involves local wound care, while CPT® Code 10081 is specifically used for a complicated incision and drainage procedure, which may include the placement of a drain or packing the wound with gauze to promote healing and prevent further complications.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure of incision and drainage of a pilonidal cyst is indicated in the following situations:
The procedure for incision and drainage of a complicated pilonidal cyst involves several key steps:
After the incision and drainage procedure, patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications. Post-procedure care may include instructions for wound care, such as keeping the area clean and dry, and changing dressings as needed. Patients may also be advised on pain management strategies and the importance of follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing. It is essential to monitor for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the incision site. If a drain has been placed, specific instructions regarding its care and maintenance will be provided to the patient. Overall, the expected recovery time may vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and the individual patient's health status.
| Short Descr | I&D PILONIDAL CYST COMP | Medium Descr | INCISION & DRAINAGE PILONIDAL CYST COMPLICATED | Long Descr | Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; complicated | 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 |
| 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). | 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. | 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. | 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 | FS | Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q5 | Service furnished under a reciprocal billing 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 | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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