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Official Description

Sialolithotomy; submandibular (submaxillary), complicated, intraoral

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 42335 refers to a surgical procedure known as sialolithotomy, specifically targeting the submandibular (submaxillary) salivary gland or duct. This procedure is categorized as complicated and is performed intraorally, meaning it is conducted within the mouth. The primary objective of a sialolithotomy is to remove a calculus, which is a stone-like formation that can obstruct the salivary gland or duct, leading to pain, swelling, and potential infection. The term 'sialolithomy' is often used interchangeably with sialolithotomy, although the former may refer to a more general procedure. In this complicated version of the procedure, the calculus is typically located in a challenging position that necessitates more extensive surgical dissection. This may involve navigating around critical anatomical structures, such as nerves and blood vessels, to safely access and remove the calculus. The procedure begins with the identification and protection of the papilla of the salivary duct associated with the affected gland. Following this, an incision is made in the mucosa over the duct or gland to expose the area where the calculus is lodged. The surgeon then carefully incises the duct or gland, dissects the calculus free from the surrounding tissue, and subsequently repairs the duct or gland along with the overlying mucosa using sutures. This meticulous approach is essential to ensure the integrity of the salivary system and to minimize complications during recovery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The sialolithotomy procedure, specifically CPT® Code 42335, is indicated for patients presenting with the following conditions:

  • Salivary Gland Calculi The presence of a calculus (stone) obstructing the submandibular gland or duct, which can lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and infection.
  • Complicated Cases Situations where the calculus is located in a difficult-to-access area, requiring more extensive dissection and surgical intervention.
  • Multiple Calculi Instances where more than one calculus is present, necessitating a more complex surgical approach for removal.
  • Large Calculi Cases involving a particularly large calculus that cannot be removed through simpler methods, thus requiring a complicated intraoral procedure.

2. Procedure

The sialolithotomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure the successful removal of the calculus from the submandibular gland or duct:

  • Step 1: Identification of the Papilla The surgeon begins by locating the papilla of the salivary duct associated with the affected gland. This step is crucial as it allows for the protection of the duct during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Incision of the Mucosa Once the papilla is identified, the mucosa overlying the duct or gland is incised. This incision provides access to the underlying structures where the calculus is lodged.
  • Step 3: Exposure of the Calculus The surgeon carefully dissects the area surrounding the duct or gland to expose the calculus. This step may involve navigating around critical anatomical structures, such as nerves and blood vessels, to minimize the risk of injury.
  • Step 4: Removal of the Calculus After the calculus is adequately exposed, the surgeon incises the duct or gland to access the calculus directly. The calculus is then dissected free from the surrounding tissue.
  • Step 5: Repair of the Duct or Gland Following the successful removal of the calculus, the duct or gland is repaired using sutures. This step is essential to restore the integrity of the salivary system.
  • Step 6: Closure of the Mucosa Finally, the overlying mucosa is sutured closed to complete the procedure, ensuring proper healing and minimizing the risk of complications.

3. Post-Procedure

After the sialolithotomy procedure, patients can expect a recovery period that may involve monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Post-operative care typically includes pain management and instructions for oral hygiene to promote healing. Patients may also be advised to stay hydrated and to follow a soft diet to minimize discomfort during the initial recovery phase. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and ensure that the salivary function is restored effectively.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF SALIVARY STONE
Medium Descr SIALOLITHOTOMY SUBMNDBLR SUBMAX COMP INTRAORAL
Long Descr Sialolithotomy; submandibular (submaxillary), complicated, intraoral
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) 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 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) P5E - Ambulatory procedures - other
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 33 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on nose, mouth and pharynx
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 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.)
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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