© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 42305 refers to the drainage of a complicated abscess located in the parotid gland, which is one of the major salivary glands situated in front of the ears. This condition, known as sialoadenitis, involves the accumulation of pus within the gland due to infection or obstruction. The parotid glands are significant as they produce saliva, which is essential for digestion and oral health. During the procedure, a surgical incision is made anterior to the ear and extends beneath the jawline, allowing access to the gland. The surgeon raises skin flaps to expose the underlying fat and fascia, which are carefully dissected to reveal the parotid gland. Multiple incisions may be made in the gland itself, parallel to the branches of the facial nerve, to effectively drain the pus from the abscess cavity. Following drainage, the cavity is irrigated with sterile saline or an antibiotic solution to ensure cleanliness and reduce the risk of further infection. Drains may be placed to facilitate ongoing drainage if necessary, and the incision is subsequently closed. It is important to differentiate this procedure from simpler drainage methods, as CPT® Code 42305 is specifically designated for more extensive cases requiring multiple incisions.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The drainage of a complicated parotid abscess, as indicated by CPT® Code 42305, is performed under specific circumstances. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for the drainage of a complicated parotid abscess involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the drainage of a complicated parotid abscess, patients may require specific post-procedure care to ensure proper recovery. Monitoring for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the incision site, is essential. Patients may also be advised to manage pain with prescribed medications and to follow up with their healthcare provider for further evaluation. The presence of drains may necessitate additional care instructions, including how to care for the drain site and when to return for drain removal. Overall, the expected recovery period will vary based on the extent of the procedure and the patient's overall health, but close observation and adherence to post-operative instructions are critical for optimal outcomes.
| Short Descr | DRAINAGE OF SALIVARY GLAND | Medium Descr | DRAINAGE ABSCESS PAROTID COMPLICATED | Long Descr | Drainage of abscess; parotid, complicated | 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) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | 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) | P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 33 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on nose, mouth and pharynx |
| 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. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 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
|
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.