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    OpenPayerBilling CodesExcision and Repair Procedures on the Trachea and BronchiCPT cpt-31755-trachea-pharynx-connection-surgical-reconstruction
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    CPT 31755: Tracheopharyngeal Connection Surgical Creation

    Medicare pays $1642 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 31755 describes a surgical procedure to create a connection between the trachea and pharynx, i.e., a tracheopharyngeal anastomosis aimed at establishing airway- or passage-related continuity; service type: surgical airway reconstruction; typical site of service: inpatient hospital or operating room for otolaryngology or thoracic surgery procedures.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood Pressure, Cardiology - Ivabradine, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult with severe upper airway obstruction or complex laryngotracheal injury who requires creation of a surgical connection between the trachea and pharynx to restore airway patency, enable oral or pharyngeal access, or bypass a high airway lesion. Patients often present with progressive dyspnea, stridor, repeated aspiration events, or failed decannulation after prolonged tracheostomy. Relevant history includes prior neck surgery, radiation, infection (e.g., necrotizing tracheitis), tumor invasion of the laryngotracheal complex, or traumatic tracheal disruption.

    The clinical workflow includes preoperative airway evaluation (flexible nasopharyngoscopy, bronchoscopy, imaging such as CT neck), multidisciplinary planning with otolaryngology/head and neck surgery and thoracic surgery as indicated, informed consent addressing airway risk, operative creation of the tracheopharyngeal anastomosis under general anesthesia with possible neck exploration and reconstruction, intraoperative airway management (endotracheal tube or tracheostomy), and postoperative care in a monitored setting for airway edema, anastomotic integrity, aspiration risk, and speech/swallow rehabilitation. Typical site of service is an inpatient operating room within a tertiary or academic medical center; some complex cases require intensive care unit postoperative monitoring.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31600Tracheostomy, planned (for creation of an opening into the trachea)May precede or be performed instead of a tracheopharyngeal connection for airway access or long-term ventilation
    31625Excision of tracheal lesion, with tracheoplasty; cervical tracheaPerformed when disease necessitates segmental resection and reconstruction near the cervical trachea, may be part of comprehensive airway reconstruction
    31628Resection, trachea, with primary anastomosis; cervicalUsed when segmental tracheal resection and primary anastomosis are required; may be combined if reconstruction extends into pharyngeal area
    31575Laryngoscopy, direct, operative, with biopsy or removal of lesionDiagnostic or adjunctive procedure to assess laryngeal/pharyngeal pathology prior to or during reconstruction
    31500Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedureMay be billed for emergent airway management related to obstruction leading to definitive surgical reconstruction

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    208100000X
    3336C0003X
    332800000X
    364SR0400X
    156F00000X
    251S00000X
    1744G0900X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C32.9Malignant neoplasm of larynx, unspecified
    C33Malignant neoplasm of trachea
    C78.7Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct
    G12.21Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    G47.33Obstructive sleep apnea (adult) (pediatric)
    J39.0Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
    J39.8Other specified diseases of upper respiratory tract
    J85.1Abscess of lung with pneumonia
    J95.1Acute pulmonary insufficiency following thoracic surgery
    J96.00Acute respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood PressureBluecross Idaho2026-11-01
    Cardiology - IvabradineCigna2026-10-15
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Ventricular Assist DeviceUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-09-17
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesuniverahealthcare2026-09-17
    Cardiac Omnibus CodesCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-31750-CERVICAL-TRACHEA-REPAIR-OPEN-AIRWAY-RECONSTRUCTION

    CPT 31750: Repair of Cervical Trachea, Open Airway Reconstruction

    CPT-31760-INTRATHORACIC-TRACHEA-REPAIR-OPEN-AIRWAY-RECONSTRUCTION

    CPT 31760: Repair of Intrathoracic Trachea for Open Airway Reconstruction

    CPT-31766-CARINA-RECONSTRUCTION-AFTER-TUMOR-RESECTION

    CPT 31766: Carina Reconstruction After Tumor Resection

    CPT-31770-AIRWAY-REPAIR-WITH-GRAFT-OR-PATCH

    CPT 31770: Repair of Airway With Graft or Patch

    CPT-31775-BRONCHIAL-STENOSIS-REPAIR-MUCOSAL-FLAP-RECONSTRUCTION

    CPT 31775: Bronchial Stenosis Dissection with Mucosal Flap Repair

    CPT-31780-TRACHEAL-RESECTION-PRIMARY-ANASTOMOSIS

    CPT 31780: Tracheal Resection and Primary Repair

    CPT-31781-TRACHEAL-STENOSIS-RESECTION-AND-ANASTOMOSIS-CERVICOTHORACIC

    CPT 31781: Tracheal Resection with Primary Anastomosis

    CPT-31785-CERVICAL-TRACHEAL-TUMOR-EXCISION

    CPT 31785: Excision of Cervical Tracheal Tumor

    CPT-31786-THORACIC-TRACHEAL-TUMOR-EXCISION

    CPT 31786: Excision of Thoracic Tracheal Tumor

    CPT-31800-CERVICAL-TRACHEA-WOUND-CLOSURE-SUTURING

    CPT 31800: Cervical Trachea Wound Suture

    Showing 1–10 of 14

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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