48001 Placement of drainage pancreas
Also known as: Pancreatic pseudocyst drainage, pancreatic cyst drainage
Surgical drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst or fluid collection through an abdominal incision with placement of a drainage catheter for external drainage.
In Plain Language
Draining fluid collection from pancreas
Clinical Context
Performed for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts causing pain, obstruction, or infection. Provides rapid decompression in acute setting.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 38.70 |
| Total RVU | 38.70 |
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 38.70, this code ranks in the 97th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.8x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 48001?
CPT 48001 (Placement of drainage pancreas) is a Surgery code. Surgical drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst or fluid collection through an abdominal incision with placement of a drainage catheter for external drainage.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 48001?
The work RVU for CPT 48001 is 38.70. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 48001 used?
Performed for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts causing pain, obstruction, or infection. Provides rapid decompression in acute setting.
Track This Code in RVU Edge
Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against MGMA data — all in one app.
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.