2025 CPT code 38542
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Hemic and Lymphatic Systems Surgery Feed
Dissection of deep jugular node(s).
Modifiers 22, 47, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 62, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 99, AQ, AR, AS, CR, ET, GA, GC, GJ, GR, LT, PD, Q5, Q6, QJ, RT, XE, XP, XS, XU may apply depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure.
Medical necessity is established by a documented clinical indication for lymph node removal. This may be based on physical examination, imaging findings, or other diagnostic tests, suggestive of malignancy, infection, or other pathology.
The surgeon prepares the patient, makes an incision, dissects the tissue to access and remove the lymph node(s), and closes the incision.They may also place a drain.
In simple words: The doctor removes lymph nodes deep in the neck area.This involves carefully cutting away tissue to reach the nodes, then removing them and closing the area. Sometimes, a drain is placed to help with healing. This may be done to diagnose a disease.It might be part of a procedure where dye helps find which lymph nodes need to be removed.
The provider excises lymph nodes located deep within the jugular area. This procedure involves dissecting tissue overlying the target node(s) while carefully preserving critical nerves and structures.The deep-seated lymph node is excised, and tissues are reapproximated in layers. A drain may be placed to manage fluid accumulation. The incision is closed with sutures.This procedure may be part of a sentinel node biopsy, where a dye is injected to identify the lymph node(s) draining from a diseased area.If the sentinel node shows no disease, no further lymph nodes are excised. If disease is present, additional nodes may be removed.
Example 1: A patient presents with a suspicious mass in the neck.A deep jugular node dissection is performed to remove the node for biopsy. Pathology reveals metastatic cancer. Further treatment is initiated based on the results., A patient with breast cancer undergoes a sentinel lymph node biopsy.A dye is injected to identify the sentinel node in the jugular region, which is then excised and sent for pathologic analysis. The results guide the need for further axillary lymph node dissection., A patient presents with neck swelling and symptoms suggesting infection.After initial medical management fails, the provider performs a deep jugular node dissection to remove an infected node for culture and sensitivity testing. The results guide further antibiotic therapy.
* Preoperative diagnosis and justification for procedure.* Intraoperative findings, including number of nodes removed.* Pathologic report detailing the diagnosis.* Postoperative course and complications.* Images (if applicable)
- Revenue Code: P5E (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Surgical Oncology, General Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center