Ask Dr. Z

Dr. Z, I need your expertise. This is a first for me and I looked up potential CPT code 34831 and there is no information in your data base. Patient w/ infected Zenith aortic endovascular stent graft. My Physician performed exploratory Lap w/ excision of the infected Zenith graft w/ an in situ replacement with a cadaveric aortic homograft (aorta to left common iliac and aorta to right external iliac)-aortobiiliac homograft. Thinking of using the excision of infected graft CPT and the CPT 34831 but concerned w/ the description referring to "plus repair of associated arterial trauma, following unsuccessful endovascular repair". It seems the previous endovascular repair was successful but now it's infected along w/ infected lumbar spine which Ortho is taking care of.. Greatly appreciate your help Tammy B Morgantown, WV