CPT® Code 32501

Add-On Code

Resection and repair of portion of bronchus (bronchoplasty) when performed at time of lobectomy or segmentectomy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

The procedure described by CPT® Code 32501 involves the surgical resection and repair of a portion of the bronchus, commonly referred to as bronchoplasty. This procedure is specifically performed in conjunction with a lobectomy or segmentectomy, which are surgeries that remove a lobe or segment of the lung, respectively. The primary goal of bronchoplasty is to excise a diseased or damaged section of the bronchus, which is the airway that leads to the lungs. Following the excision, the bronchus is repaired using various surgical techniques tailored to the extent of the resection. For smaller resections, a flap of the remaining bronchus may be utilized to close the defect. In cases where a larger section of the bronchus is removed, or when there is a significant size difference between the main bronchus and the remaining segmental bronchus, more complex repair techniques are employed. This may include plicating the larger main bronchus, which involves folding it to reduce its diameter, followed by performing an end-to-end anastomosis, a surgical connection between two ends of the bronchus to restore continuity. This procedure is critical for maintaining airway patency and ensuring proper lung function after the removal of lung tissue.