Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Our neurosurgeon is doing a laparoscopic revision of distal catheter. Can we report it with 62230 (Replacement or revision of cerebrospinal fluid shunt, obstructed valve, or distal catheter in shunt system) or do we use the unlisted code for the laparoscopic revision?

New York Subscriber

Answer: In general, you should not report endoscopic procedures with open surgical codes. If this procedure was performed only with a single incision for placement of the laparoscope for intraperitoneal repositioning of the catheter, an unlisted code would be the most accurate. If a combination of open incisions and a laparoscopic incision were made for distal catheter revision, then code 62230 would be appropriate.