Ask Dr. Z

Would it be appropriate to code 35371, 35372, 35741 for this case? Incision left groin, exposing the distal external iliac artery, entire common femoral artery, several centimeters of superficial femoral artery and well down into the profunda femoral artery as well- extensive endarterectomy of the entire common femoral artery extending well down into the profunda femoral artery. The superficial femoral was totally occluded - We divided that beyond its origin, the SFA, about 6cm distally and divided it, over sewed the distal SFA. The proximal and then the 6 cm stump was opened on its inferior surface, endarterectomized and this was used as the patch for the profunda endarterectomy. We then opened up the profunda femoral artery for several centimeters, did extensive endarterectomy of the profunda. The vessel of course was opened here and we did an extensive endarterectomy of the common femoral artery through this same access. He also did an exploration of the popliteal artery for possible by-pass but found that it was a non-bypassable vessel