CPT code 38382 identifies surgical repair of the thoracic duct via an abdominal approach, commonly performed to control chyle leakage after penetrating thoracic trauma. This procedure is clinically important for preventing ongoing chylous drainage, nutritional depletion, and infection risk following thoracic duct injury. Nationally, correct coding for this operation supports accurate surgical case capture, outcomes tracking, and appropriate reimbursement for complex thoracic and vascular-surgical care.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for when CPT code 38382 is used, the typical site of service, and common billing considerations. The publication also outlines benchmark expectations and policy-relevant points that affect coverage and claims adjudication for thoracic duct repair procedures. Clinical teams, coding professionals, and policy analysts will gain a clearer view of how CPT code 38382 fits into surgical service lines and what areas warrant attention for documentation and payer discussions.

Data not available in the input for some items such as associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, and detailed payer-specific coverage rules.