42300 Drainage of salivary gland
Also known as: salivary gland drainage, sialagogue drainage
Surgical incision and drainage of a salivary gland or ductal obstruction to relieve retained secretions or abscess formation.
In Plain Language
drainage of infected or blocked salivary gland
Clinical Context
Treatment of salivary gland obstruction, abscess, or sialolith by surgical drainage to relieve pain, swelling, and restore gland function.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.93 |
| Total RVU | 1.93 |
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 10-day global period — follow-up visits within 10 days of the procedure are included in the reimbursement. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.93, this code ranks in the 13th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.1x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42300?
CPT 42300 (Drainage of salivary gland) is a Surgery code. Surgical incision and drainage of a salivary gland or ductal obstruction to relieve retained secretions or abscess formation.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42300?
The work RVU for CPT 42300 is 1.93. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry. It has a 10-day global period.
When is CPT 42300 used?
Treatment of salivary gland obstruction, abscess, or sialolith by surgical drainage to relieve pain, swelling, and restore gland function.
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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.