42409 Drainage of salivary cyst
Also known as: cyst drainage, salivary cyst drainage
Surgical incision and drainage of a salivary gland cyst without complete excision, allowing continued drainage and decompression.
In Plain Language
drainage of salivary cyst without full removal
Clinical Context
Conservative drainage of mucoceles or retention cysts in minor salivary glands to decompress lesion and allow healing.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 2.84 |
| Total RVU | 2.84 |
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 2.84, this code ranks in the 19th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42409?
CPT 42409 (Drainage of salivary cyst) is a Surgery code. Surgical incision and drainage of a salivary gland cyst without complete excision, allowing continued drainage and decompression.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42409?
The work RVU for CPT 42409 is 2.84. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Dentistry. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 42409 used?
Conservative drainage of mucoceles or retention cysts in minor salivary glands to decompress lesion and allow healing.
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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.