48000 Drainage of abdomen
Also known as: Pancreatic abscess drainage, open drainage
Surgical drainage of a pancreatic abscess or fluid collection through an abdominal incision, establishing a drainage tract for infection management.
In Plain Language
Draining infection or fluid from pancreas
Clinical Context
Performed for pancreatic abscess secondary to pancreatitis, trauma, or surgery. Open approach when percutaneous drainage fails or anatomy prevents it.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 31.15 |
| Total RVU | 31.15 |
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 31.15, this code ranks in the 93rd percentile among Surgery codes — 3.9x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 48000?
CPT 48000 (Drainage of abdomen) is a Surgery code. Surgical drainage of a pancreatic abscess or fluid collection through an abdominal incision, establishing a drainage tract for infection management.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 48000?
The work RVU for CPT 48000 is 31.15. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 48000 used?
Performed for pancreatic abscess secondary to pancreatitis, trauma, or surgery. Open approach when percutaneous drainage fails or anatomy prevents it.
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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.