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The procedure described by CPT® Code 38300 involves the drainage of a lymph node abscess or lymphadenitis, which is a condition characterized by the inflammation of lymph nodes often due to infection. In this procedure, the healthcare provider first palpates the enlarged lymph node to identify the area that exhibits the greatest degree of fluctuance, indicating the presence of an abscess. Following this assessment, a local anesthetic is administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. The next step involves making an incision in the skin over the lymph node, followed by dissection of deeper tissues as necessary to adequately expose the site of the abscess. Once the lymph node is accessed, it is incised to allow for drainage of the accumulated pus or fluid. During this process, cultures may be collected and sent to a laboratory for further analysis to identify any infectious organisms present. After the drainage is complete, the incision may be managed in several ways: it can be packed open to facilitate continued drainage, a drain may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation, or the incision may be closed directly. It is important to note that this code is specifically used for simple procedures involving superficial lymph nodes, while CPT® Code 38305 is designated for more extensive procedures that require deeper tissue dissection, packing, drain placement, or secondary closure.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 38300 is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for drainage of a lymph node abscess or lymphadenitis involves several key steps:
After the procedure, the patient may require monitoring for signs of infection or complications. Instructions for wound care will be provided, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, as well as any specific guidelines for changing dressings if applicable. The patient may also be advised on signs and symptoms to watch for that could indicate a need for further medical attention, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the incision site. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and to review culture results, which can inform further treatment if necessary.
| Short Descr | DRAINAGE LYMPH NODE LESION | Medium Descr | DRG LYMPH NODE ABSC/LYMPHADENITIS SMPL | Long Descr | Drainage of lymph node abscess or lymphadenitis; 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 | 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) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 67 - Other therapeutic procedures, hemic and lymphatic system |
| 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). | 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.) | 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) |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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