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Official Description

Incision and drainage, leg or ankle; infected bursa

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27604 refers to the surgical intervention known as incision and drainage of an infected bursa located in the leg or ankle. An infected bursa is a fluid-filled sac that becomes inflamed and can lead to pain and swelling in the affected area. The procedure involves making a precise incision in the skin directly over the infected bursa to allow for drainage of the accumulated fluid and pus. This is a critical step in managing infections, as it helps to alleviate pressure, reduce pain, and promote healing. The drainage process typically includes flushing the cavity with saline or an antibiotic solution to ensure that any remaining infectious material is cleared out. Depending on the extent of the infection and the surgeon's assessment, drains may be placed to facilitate ongoing drainage and prevent fluid accumulation. The incision may be closed in layers to promote proper healing or packed with gauze and left open to allow for continued drainage. This procedure is essential for treating infections effectively and preventing further complications.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 27604 is indicated for the treatment of an infected bursa in the leg or ankle. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:

  • Infected Bursa The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of an infected bursa, which can cause significant pain, swelling, and discomfort in the affected area.
  • Abscess Formation If the infected bursa has led to the formation of an abscess, characterized by a collection of pus, incision and drainage is necessary to relieve pressure and promote healing.
  • Persistent Symptoms Patients experiencing persistent symptoms such as localized pain, redness, and swelling that do not respond to conservative treatments may require this procedure for effective management.

2. Procedure

The procedure for incision and drainage of an infected bursa involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the area over the infected bursa is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of further infection. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Incision A scalpel is used to make a precise incision in the skin directly over the infected bursa. This incision allows access to the underlying infected tissue.
  • Step 3: Drainage The infected bursa is opened, and the accumulated fluid and pus are drained. This step is crucial for alleviating pressure and reducing pain associated with the infection.
  • Step 4: Flushing After drainage, the cavity is thoroughly flushed with saline or an antibiotic solution. This helps to clear any remaining infectious material and reduces the risk of recurrence.
  • Step 5: Drain Placement If necessary, drains may be placed in the cavity to facilitate ongoing drainage and prevent fluid accumulation, ensuring that the area remains free of infection.
  • Step 6: Closure The incision may be closed in layers to promote proper healing, or it may be packed with gauze and left open, depending on the surgeon's assessment and the extent of the infection.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the incision and drainage of the infected bursa, patients can expect specific post-procedure care and considerations. The area will need to be monitored for signs of infection, and patients may be advised to keep the incision clean and dry. Pain management may be necessary, and the healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to prevent further infection. Follow-up appointments will be essential to assess healing and determine if additional interventions are required. If drains were placed, patients will receive instructions on how to care for them and when they can be removed. Overall, proper post-procedure care is vital for ensuring a successful recovery and minimizing complications.

Short Descr DRAIN LOWER LEG BURSA
Medium Descr INCISION & DRAINAGE LEG/ANKLE INFECTED BURSA
Long Descr Incision and drainage, leg or ankle; infected bursa
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - 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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P3D - Major procedure, orthopedic - other
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 160 - Other therapeutic procedures on muscles and tendons

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

20700 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), deep (eg, subfascial) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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).
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
Date
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2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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