42955 Surgical opening of throat
Also known as: pharyngotomy, laryngofissure, throat opening
Laryngofissure, pharyngotomy, or creation of surgical opening into the pharynx (throat) for therapeutic access or reconstruction.
In Plain Language
surgical opening into the throat; throat opening surgery for treatment
Clinical Context
Performed to access deep pharyngeal pathology, remove obstructing lesions, or establish access for reconstruction. Used for laryngeal stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, or pharyngeal lesions.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 7.81 |
| Total RVU | 7.81 |
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 7.81, this code ranks in the 49th 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 42955?
CPT 42955 (Surgical opening of throat) is a Surgery code. Laryngofissure, pharyngotomy, or creation of surgical opening into the pharynx (throat) for therapeutic access or reconstruction.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42955?
The work RVU for CPT 42955 is 7.81. This code is primarily used by Otolaryngology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 42955 used?
Performed to access deep pharyngeal pathology, remove obstructing lesions, or establish access for reconstruction. Used for laryngeal stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, or pharyngeal lesions.
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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.