31800 Repair of windpipe injury
Also known as: tracheal injury repair, tracheal primary repair
Surgical repair of injury to the trachea (windpipe), performed to restore structural integrity and function following traumatic or iatrogenic damage with straightforward primary closure or simple repair techniques.
In Plain Language
windpipe injury repair; tracheal trauma repair
Clinical Context
Used for acute traumatic tracheal injuries, post-intubation perforations, or iatrogenic tracheal defects requiring emergent or urgent surgical intervention.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 7.98 |
| Total RVU | 7.98 |
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 7.98, this code ranks in the 50th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.0x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 31800?
CPT 31800 (Repair of windpipe injury) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of injury to the trachea (windpipe), performed to restore structural integrity and function following traumatic or iatrogenic damage with straightforward primary closure or simple repair techniques.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 31800?
The work RVU for CPT 31800 is 7.98. This code is primarily used by Thoracic Surgery, Emergency Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 31800 used?
Used for acute traumatic tracheal injuries, post-intubation perforations, or iatrogenic tracheal defects requiring emergent or urgent surgical intervention.
Track This Code in RVU Edge
Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against MGMA data — all in one app.
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.