tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2007 Issue 9

Don't Access Endo Codes for Open Repairs

Not all patients are candidates for endovascular AAA repair. Traditionally, graft repair of the aneurysm involves exposing the affected portion of the aorta with a large incision (via a transabdominal or retroperitoneal approach), temporarily occluding (stopping) the blood flow, opening the aneurysm, and inserting a tubular prosthesis. -The open procedures remain fairly straightforward,- Barone says.You should report such open procedures using 35081 (Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision [partial or total] and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, and associated occlusive disease, abdominal aorta) for repairs confined to the abdominal aorta or...

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