© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 32855 involves the meticulous preparation of a cadaver donor lung allograft prior to its transplantation into a recipient. This preparation is conducted on a backbench, also known as a backtable, where the lung is carefully examined and processed to ensure its suitability for transplant. The external surface of the lung is inspected for any signs of tissue damage or abnormalities that could affect the transplant outcome. Critical components of the lung, including the pulmonary veins and the left atrial cuff, are assessed for their length and integrity, ensuring that they are free from injuries that could compromise the transplant. Additionally, the pulmonary artery undergoes a thorough examination for length and potential thrombus presence. If thrombus is detected, it is meticulously removed and sent for laboratory analysis and culture to rule out any infectious processes. The dissection process involves carefully freeing the pulmonary artery from surrounding soft tissues, which is essential for proper attachment during transplantation. The bronchial staples are removed, and specimens of bronchial secretions are collected for laboratory cultures, which are vital for identifying any potential infections. The bronchus is then trimmed to the appropriate length to facilitate a successful anastomosis during the transplant procedure. Throughout this preparation, the bronchial and lobar orifices are suctioned and irrigated with saline as necessary to maintain cleanliness and reduce the risk of contamination. Once the preparation is complete, the lung is placed in a sterile basin, packed in ice, or bathed in cold saline to preserve its viability until the transplant team is ready to proceed with the transplantation. This procedure is specifically for unilateral lung preparation, distinguishing it from the preparation of both lungs, which is covered under a different CPT® code.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The backbench standard preparation of a cadaver donor lung allograft, as described by CPT® Code 32855, is indicated for the following:
The procedure for the backbench preparation of a cadaver donor lung allograft involves several critical steps to ensure the lung is ready for transplantation:
After the backbench preparation of the cadaver donor lung allograft, the lung is kept in a sterile environment, either in ice or cold saline, to maintain its viability. The transplant team must be prepared to begin the transplantation procedure promptly to ensure the best possible outcomes for the recipient. Continuous monitoring of the lung's condition is essential until the transplant is initiated, as any delay could compromise the lung's suitability for transplantation.
| Short Descr | PREPARE DONOR LUNG SINGLE | Medium Descr | BKBENCH PREPJ CADAVER DONOR LUNG ALLOGRAFT UNI | Long Descr | Backbench standard preparation of cadaver donor lung allograft prior to transplantation, including dissection of allograft from surrounding soft tissues to prepare pulmonary venous/atrial cuff, pulmonary artery, and bronchus; unilateral | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | 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) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 176 - Other organ transplantation |
| 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). | 62 | Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate. | 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 | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2005-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2005. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.