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Open Removal of axillary vein stent by open venotomy

Date: Jan 18, 2021

Question:

(Patient with MRSA/Bacteremia) "Axillary stent - suspected as source of infection but not confirmed. The patient was taken to the operating room and placed in the supine position. After adequate regional block anesthesia he was prepped and draped in the usual fashion. An incision in the proximal upper arm near the axilla and this was carried down through the subcutaneous tissues. The fascia was incised. Care was taken not to disturb any nerves. The axillary vein was identified and proximal to the stent (mid arm) it was occluded and rubbery. The stent could be seen. I gently dissected the vein and then made a venotomy with an 11 blade and separated the plane between the stent and vein. The stent was grasped with a hemostat and gently retracted while continuing to separate the plane. Eventually I was able to completely remove the stent."

I am thinking 35206, or venous thrombectomy code 34490 because there was thrombus found inside of the stent incidentally, which was cultured and sent for path exam. Any assistance with this case would be appreciated.

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