AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2026 Issue 2; Ask the Editor

Needle Aspiration of Peritonsillar Abscess

A patient with a recurrent left peritonsillar abscess underwent abscess drainage. Documentation states that a needle was used to aspirate the abscess of about 2 cc of purulent material. Should the approach value “External” be assigned, since the procedure was performed within the orifice/mouth without the aid of instrumentation, or “Percutaneous” since the needle punctures through the tissue of the abscess in order to reach the site of the procedure? ...

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