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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Blood Vessel Repair Merits 35236

Published on Sat Feb 17, 2007

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).
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