Thoracic Duct Drainage (TDD) in Renal Transplants

20.3 - Thoracic Duct Drainage (TDD) in Renal Transplants (Rev. 1, 10-03-03) CIM 35-58 Thoracic duct drainage (TDD) is an immunosuppressive technique used in renal transplantation. This procedure which removes lymph from kidney transplant recipients as a means of achieving suppression of the immune mechanism, is currently being used both pre- and post-transplant in conjunction with more conventional immunotherapy. TDD is performed on an inpatient basis, and the inpatient stay is covered for patients admitted for treatment in advance of a kidney transplant as well as for those receiving it post-transplant. The TDD is a covered technique when furnished to a kidney transplant recipient or an individual approved to receive kidney transplantation in a hospital approved to perform kidney transplantation.