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Anesthesia Coding Alert

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What's the Correct Code for Thromboendarterectomy?

Published on Wed Jan 28, 2009

Question: Our anesthesiologist provided anesthesia for a carotid thromboendarterectomy, but I'm not sure which anesthesia code best applies?

Utah Subscriber

Answer: Anesthesia for code CPT 35301 (Thromboendarterectomy, including patch graft, if performed; carotid, vertebral, subclavian, by neck incision) uses 00350 (Anesthesia for procedures on major vessels of neck; not otherwise specified).

Carotid thromboendarterectomy is the removal of plaque from the carotid artery through an incision in the neck, which typically involves fast recovery and little pain. Patients may be asleep under general anesthesia during surgery, or awake with local anesthesia.

Take note: Related anesthesia code 00352 (...simple ligation) does not apply to carotid thromboendarterectomy because the procedure is more involved than a simple ligation. That is why the NOS choice is best suited for the scenario.

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