Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: What CPT code should I report if the orthopedic surgeon had to perform a radial artery repair with a vein graft as part of a wrist repair?

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: You should report arterial repair code 35236 (Repair blood vessel with vein graft; upper extremity) for this service. Harvesting and inserting the vein graft are both included in the reimbursement for this code.

Example: The surgeon performs the arterial repair with repair of five wrist tendons. You would report 35236 with 903.2 (Injury to blood vessels of upper extremity; radial blood vessels), and five units of 25260 (Repair, tendon or muscle, flexor, forearm and/or wrist; primary, single, each tendon or muscle) linked to 881.22 (Open wound of elbow, forearm, and wrist; with tendon involvement; wrist).