2025 CPT code 32550
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System Feed
Insertion of indwelling tunneled pleural catheter with cuff.
Modifiers may be applicable to this code. Refer to the provided modifier list for appropriate usage.
Medical necessity for this procedure is established by the presence of a condition requiring pleural drainage, such as pneumothorax, pleural effusion, or hemothorax. The documentation should clearly support the diagnosis and the need for the intervention.
When the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized, the provider makes an incision in the chest and inserts a hollow needle into the pleural space. She inserts a guide wire through the needle. She then removes the needle and leaves the guide wire in place. The provider then makes a second incision and passes a tunneling device with the catheter subcutaneously, from the second incision until it exits through the original incision site. She advances the catheter using the tunneling device until the cuff is buried just under the second incision. The provider then feeds a dilator over the guide wire into the pleural space, inserts the catheter, and secures it. She leaves the chest tube in place with one end exiting the body for connection to a collection container.
In simple words: The doctor places a tube in the chest to drain fluid or air. The tube is placed under the skin and has a small balloon (cuff) to keep it in place.This helps the lungs re-expand and allows any fluid or air to drain.
Insertion of an indwelling tunneled pleural catheter with cuff. This procedure involves creating a small incision in the chest, inserting a hollow needle into the pleural space, and then inserting a guidewire through the needle. The needle is removed, and a second incision is made. A tunneling device with the catheter is passed subcutaneously from the second incision to the first. The catheter is advanced until the cuff is positioned just under the second incision. A dilator is fed over the guidewire into the pleural space, the catheter is inserted, and then it's secured. The chest tube remains in place, with one end outside the body to connect to a collection container. This facilitates lung re-expansion and drainage of air, blood, or fluid.
Example 1: A patient with a collapsed lung due to a traumatic injury requires a chest tube to re-inflate the lung and drain any accumulated air or blood., A patient with pleural effusion (fluid buildup around the lungs) needs a chest tube to drain the excess fluid and allow the lungs to expand properly. , Following lung surgery, a patient may have a chest tube placed to drain blood and air that may accumulate in the pleural space.
Documentation should include the reason for the procedure (e.g., pneumothorax, pleural effusion), the method used (tunneled placement), the size and type of catheter inserted, and any complications encountered.
** Radiological supervision and interpretation may be reported separately. Use 32552 for removal of an indwelling tunneled pleural catheter with cuff. Use both 32550 and 32552 when the provider removes a tunneled catheter and replaces it with a new tunneled catheter.
- Revenue Code: P6C
- Specialties:Thoracic Surgery, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center