Ask Dr. Z

Can you please help with the coding for this procedure? We are trying to determine if 35820 would apply for this scenario or maybe 32999 (unlisted VATS procedure). Thank you. 

"Earlier this same day, the patient had a VATS with wedge resection. The patient came back to the OR for post-op bleeding. After general anesthesia, the previous port site was opened. A 10 mm port was placed into the chest, and a 30-degree scope was passed into the chest. There was a large hematoma that was present. This was irrigated copiously and completely evacuated. The second port site was opened. All port sites were then systemically examined. All three port sites were generally oozing. The posterior port site seemed to be the culprit; however, no arterial bleeding was identified. Two 36 French chest tubes were brought through the port sites and directed up anteriorly and posteriorly to the apex. The port site was closed."