42408 Excision of salivary cyst
Also known as: salivary cyst removal, cyst excision
Surgical excision and removal of a cyst arising from salivary gland tissue, typically involving complete cyst removal and tissue reconstruction.
In Plain Language
removal of fluid-filled sac from salivary gland
Clinical Context
Surgical removal of mucocele, retention cyst, or other salivary cyst lesions from major or minor salivary glands.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 4.54 |
| Total RVU | 4.54 |
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 4.54, this code ranks in the 31st percentile among Surgery codes — 1.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42408?
CPT 42408 (Excision of salivary cyst) is a Surgery code. Surgical excision and removal of a cyst arising from salivary gland tissue, typically involving complete cyst removal and tissue reconstruction.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42408?
The work RVU for CPT 42408 is 4.54. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 42408 used?
Surgical removal of mucocele, retention cyst, or other salivary cyst lesions from major or minor salivary glands.
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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.