27301 Drainage thigh/knee lesion
Also known as: thigh drainage, knee drainage, I and D thigh
Drainage of abscess or hematoma of thigh or knee, including incision and drainage of superficial soft tissue collections.
In Plain Language
Thigh infection drainage; Knee abscess drainage
Clinical Context
Applied to localized infections or fluid collections in thigh or knee requiring surgical drainage via incision.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.61 |
| Total RVU | 6.61 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 6.61, this code ranks in the 43rd percentile among Surgery codes — 1.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 27301?
CPT 27301 (Drainage thigh/knee lesion) is a Surgery code. Drainage of abscess or hematoma of thigh or knee, including incision and drainage of superficial soft tissue collections.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 27301?
The work RVU for CPT 27301 is 6.61. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 27301 used?
Applied to localized infections or fluid collections in thigh or knee requiring surgical drainage via incision.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.