Ask Dr. Z

Ask Dr. Z Knowledge Base houses over 7,500 coding questions and answers dating back to 2013.

Ask Dr. Z Disclaimer

Please note this question was answered in 2021. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

Mechanical debridement of Denver Shunt

Date: Mar 15, 2021

Question:

"Superior tubing was accessed with a needle and contrast injected to confirm intraluminal position and patency of the superior tube. Contrast was noted to pass freely into the right atrium (49427, 75809). Thus, the issues with the indwelling Denver shunt was most likely at the valves between the reservoirs and between the superior reservoir and superior tubing. Utilizing a total 6mg in 6 mL of tPA, cytology brush, and glidewire, mechanical debridement along with aspiration of the inferior reservoir yielded a small volume of debris with subsequent passage of contrast from the inferior reservoir to the superior reservoir. Additional mechanical debridement along with aspiration of the superior reservoir didn't result in passage of contrast from the superior reservoir to the superior tubing despite multiple attempts."  Can the mechanical debridement be coded as 49426? Or do I need to go unlisted?

Sign up for a membership to view the answer to this question.

Need to ask Dr.Z?

Don't see the answer you're looking for in the knowledge base? No problem. You can ask Dr. Z directly!
Ask Dr. Z a question now!