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BETA v.3.0

2025 CPT code 32200

Pneumonostomy with open drainage of abscess or cyst.

Do not report 32200 for percutaneous drainage procedures. Use code 49405 instead.

Modifiers may be applicable to indicate specific circumstances, such as increased procedural services (modifier 22) or multiple procedures (modifier 51).

Medical necessity is established by imaging studies (e.g., CT scan, chest X-ray) demonstrating the presence of a lung abscess or cyst that requires drainage and cannot be managed by less invasive methods. Documentation of symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, chest pain, or difficulty breathing supports the medical necessity of the procedure.

The surgeon makes an incision in the chest wall, goes through the membranes surrounding the lungs, and creates an opening into the lung to drain the abscess or cyst. A drainage tube may be left in place. The wound is dressed with bandages.

IMPORTANT:(For percutaneous image-guided drainage of abscess or cyst of lungs or mediastinum by catheter placement, use 49405)

In simple words: The doctor creates an opening in the chest to drain a pus-filled pocket (abscess) or a fluid-filled sac (cyst) in the lung.

Open surgical creation of an opening into the lung for drainage of an abscess or cyst.

Example 1: A patient with a lung abscess caused by pneumonia undergoes pneumonostomy to drain the infected material., A patient with a congenital lung cyst causing breathing difficulties has the cyst drained via open pneumonostomy., A patient develops a lung abscess after inhaling a foreign object, requiring an open pneumonostomy for drainage and removal of the object.

Documentation should include the diagnosis necessitating the procedure, the operative report detailing the approach and technique used, and the size and location of the abscess or cyst.

** This procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia in an operating room setting.

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