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Official Description

Incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscess (separate procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscesses is a surgical procedure aimed at alleviating the accumulation of pus in the deeper tissues surrounding the rectum. An ischiorectal abscess is specifically located in a wedge-shaped space between the ischium's tuberosity and the obturator internus muscle on the lateral side, while the medial side is bordered by the external anal sphincter and the levator ani muscle. This type of abscess can be unilateral or may extend posteriorly, potentially forming a horseshoe abscess that affects both sides. In contrast, a perirectal abscess is situated in the connective tissue adjacent to the rectum. The procedure typically begins with a digital rectal examination to accurately identify the location of the abscess. Once located, a radial or cross-shaped incision is made over the most prominent part of the abscess or the area exhibiting the greatest fluctuance. The incision edges are excised to reveal the abscess cavity, allowing for thorough drainage. During the procedure, the cavity is manually inspected, and any loculations, or pockets of pus, are broken up to ensure complete drainage. Post-drainage, the incisions may be left open to facilitate ongoing drainage, packed with iodophor gauze for a duration of 24 hours, or a drain may be placed to assist in the management of the abscess.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscesses is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Ischiorectal Abscess Presence of an abscess in the ischiorectal space, which may cause significant pain and discomfort.
  • Perirectal Abscess Accumulation of pus in the connective tissue adjacent to the rectum, leading to swelling and potential systemic infection.
  • Fluctuant Mass Identification of a fluctuating mass during a digital rectal examination, indicating the need for drainage.
  • Horseshoe Abscess Development of a horseshoe abscess that may require intervention to prevent further complications.

2. Procedure

The procedure for incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscesses involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Digital Rectal Examination A thorough digital rectal examination is performed to locate the abscess accurately. This examination helps in assessing the size, location, and extent of the abscess, which is crucial for planning the incision.
  • Step 2: Incision Once the abscess is identified, a radial or cross-shaped (cruciate) incision is made over the most prominent aspect of the abscess mass or the area of greatest fluctuance. This incision is strategically placed to ensure optimal drainage of the abscess cavity.
  • Step 3: Excision of Incision Edges The edges of the incision are excised to expose the abscess cavity fully. This step is essential to allow for wide drainage and to facilitate the inspection of the cavity.
  • Step 4: Inspection and Drainage The abscess cavity is manually inspected using fingers to ensure that all loculations, or pockets of pus, are identified and broken up. This thorough inspection is vital for complete drainage and to prevent recurrence.
  • Step 5: Post-Drainage Management After the drainage is complete, the incisions may be left open to allow for continued drainage. Alternatively, the cavity may be packed with iodophor gauze for 24 hours, or a drain may be placed to facilitate ongoing drainage and prevent fluid accumulation.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients who have undergone incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscesses includes monitoring for signs of infection, managing pain, and ensuring proper wound care. Patients may be advised to keep the area clean and dry, and follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and drainage. If a drain is placed, instructions will be provided on how to care for the drain and when to return for its removal. Patients should be educated on recognizing any signs of complications, such as increased pain, fever, or changes in drainage, which may require immediate medical attention.

Short Descr INCISION OF RECTAL ABSCESS
Medium Descr I&D ISCHIORECTAL&/PERIRECTAL ABSCESS SPX
Long Descr Incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscess (separate procedure)
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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
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 96 - Other OR lower GI therapeutic procedures
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).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient 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).
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).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
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.
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.)
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).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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