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 2016. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

Revision or Ligation and Thrombectomy

Date: Jul 18, 2016

Question:

"Patient presented with massively dilated brachiocephalic AVF with discomfort. The left upper extremity of the patient was prepped. A skin incision one centimeter above the cubital fossa was made and deepened into the subcutaneous fat using electrocautery. After careful isolation of the arterial inflow to the aneurysm, the vein was encircled with vessel loop for traction. The inflow was ligated with 1-0 ethibond transfixion suture. An elliptical incision was made over the aneurysm, the outflow was also ligated with 1-0 ethibond, and aneurysmal sac was opened and partially excised. Doppler signal of the brachial artery was verified after skin closure, and radial pulses were still palpable." Should I report codes 37607 and 36831? Or 36833?

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!