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 2014. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

Carotid Bypass Excision and Revision

Date: Aug 18, 2014

Question:

I am trying to determine coding for excision of previously placed carotid bypass and placement of another carotid-ipsilateral carotid bypass. Does this qualify for code 35501 or repair blood vessel code 35231, or is this unlisted procedure? "Procedure Description: We carefully dissected the common carotid artery bypass graft and then extended the dissection more distally and identified internal and external carotid arteries. These were encircled with vessel loops and clamped in order, internal, external, and common carotid. The graft was completely excised, and the proximal end of the greater saphenous vein was spatulated, and an end-to-end anastomosis between the vein and the very distal common carotid artery at the bifurcation was carried out using 6-0 prolene suture. Following completion of the anastomosis, the proximal common carotid artery was spatulated, the vein was cut to appropriate length and spatulated, and an end-to-end anastomosis was then created using 6-0 prolene suture."

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!