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Official Description

Incision and drainage, perianal abscess, superficial

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A superficial perianal abscess is a localized collection of pus that occurs in the connective tissue surrounding the anus. This condition typically arises due to infection, leading to the formation of a painful swelling that can cause discomfort and difficulty during bowel movements. The procedure for incision and drainage involves a thorough examination, often through a digital rectal examination, to accurately locate the abscess. Once identified, a surgical incision is made, typically in a radial or cross-shaped (cruciate) pattern, over the most prominent part of the abscess. This incision allows for effective drainage of the pus and alleviates pressure in the affected area. The procedure is designed to ensure that the abscess cavity is fully exposed, facilitating manual inspection and the breaking up of any loculations, or pockets, that may be present within the abscess. Following drainage, the incision may be left open to allow for continued drainage, packed with iodophor gauze for a short period, or a drain may be placed to assist in the healing process.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of incision and drainage of a superficial perianal abscess is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Perianal Abscess A localized collection of pus in the connective tissue adjacent to the anus, often resulting from infection.
  • Pain and Discomfort Symptoms such as significant pain, swelling, and tenderness in the perianal region that necessitate intervention.
  • Fluctuance The presence of fluctuance, indicating the accumulation of pus that requires drainage to relieve pressure and prevent further complications.

2. Procedure

The procedure for incision and drainage of a superficial perianal abscess involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment:

  • Step 1: Digital Examination A thorough digital examination is performed to accurately locate the abscess. This step is crucial for identifying the most prominent aspect of the abscess mass or the area exhibiting the greatest fluctuance.
  • Step 2: Incision Once the abscess is located, a surgical incision is made over the identified area. The incision is typically performed in a radial or cross-shaped (cruciate) manner to maximize drainage and access to the abscess cavity.
  • Step 3: Excision of Incision Edges The edges of the incision are excised to fully expose the abscess cavity. This step is essential for allowing wide drainage of the pus and ensuring that the cavity can be adequately inspected.
  • Step 4: Manual Inspection The abscess cavity is then inspected manually using fingers to assess the extent of the infection and to break up any loculations, or pockets, that may be present within the cavity.
  • Step 5: Drainage Management After the abscess has been adequately drained, the incision may be left open to facilitate continued drainage. Alternatively, it may be packed with iodophor gauze for a duration of 24 hours, or a drain may be placed to assist in the healing process.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for a superficial perianal abscess includes monitoring the incision site for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Patients are typically advised to maintain proper hygiene in the area and may be instructed on how to care for the incision if it is left open or packed. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to assess healing and ensure that the abscess has fully resolved. Pain management may also be discussed, and patients should be informed about signs that would warrant immediate medical attention.

Short Descr INCISION OF ANAL ABSCESS
Medium Descr I&D PERIANAL ABSCESS SUPERFICIAL
Long Descr Incision and drainage, perianal abscess, superficial
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 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) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 96 - Other OR lower GI therapeutic procedures
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.)
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).
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.
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).
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
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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
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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