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Official Description

Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for ruptured aneurysm, abdominal aorta involving visceral vessels (mesenteric, celiac, renal)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 35092 refers to the surgical procedure for the direct repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm, particularly when there is involvement of visceral vessels such as the mesenteric, celiac, and renal arteries. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is characterized by an abnormal enlargement or dilation of the abdominal aorta, which can lead to serious complications if not addressed promptly. The procedure involves either direct repair or excision of the aneurysm, along with the insertion of a graft, which may or may not include a patch graft. A pseudoaneurysm, in contrast to a true aneurysm, does not involve all three layers of the arterial wall and is often the result of trauma or complications from medical procedures. The abdominal aorta is a critical vessel that supplies blood to the lower body, and its rupture can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage. Therefore, this procedure is performed as an emergency intervention to control bleeding and restore vascular integrity. The surgical approach typically requires careful dissection and mobilization of surrounding structures to access the aorta and visceral vessels, ensuring that any associated occlusive disease is also addressed during the repair process.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 35092 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm The primary indication for this procedure is the presence of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, which poses an immediate risk of life-threatening hemorrhage.
  • Visceral Vessel Involvement The procedure is specifically indicated when the aneurysm involves visceral vessels, including the mesenteric, celiac, and renal arteries, which may complicate the repair and require additional surgical intervention.
  • Associated Occlusive Disease The presence of any occlusive disease associated with the aneurysm may also necessitate this surgical approach to restore proper blood flow to the affected visceral vessels.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 35092 involves several critical steps to ensure effective repair of the ruptured aneurysm:

  • Preparation and Incision The patient is positioned appropriately, and the lower leg is prepped if a saphenous vein graft is to be harvested. A midline abdominal, transverse, or retroperitoneal flank incision is made to access the abdominal aorta and visceral vessels.
  • Accessing the Aorta The overlying soft tissues are carefully divided to expose the abdominal aorta. The duodenum is dissected off the aorta to provide clear access to the vessel.
  • Establishing Control Proximal control is established above the level of the celiac arteries, and distal control is achieved above the iliac arteries. This is crucial for managing blood flow during the repair.
  • Mobilization of the Aorta Supraceliac aortic control is obtained by dividing ligaments to the left lateral segment of the liver and retracting this portion of the liver. The fibromuscular bands of the diaphragm are separated to facilitate the mobilization of the aorta.
  • Clamping and Opening the Aneurysm After administering diuretics and anticoagulants, the iliac arteries and proximal aorta are clamped. The aneurysm sac is then opened longitudinally, and any aortic thrombus is removed.
  • Oversewing and Graft Placement The lumbar arteries and inferior mesenteric artery are oversewn. A synthetic tube graft is sutured to healthy aorta both distal and proximal to the aneurysm site. The visceral artery is repaired using either an autogenous (saphenous vein) or synthetic patch or tube graft.
  • Closure and Recovery Following the placement of the tube graft, the aneurysm sac is closed over the graft. The clamps are released to restore blood flow, and the retroperitoneum is repaired before closing the abdomen.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the surgical repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm involves close monitoring of the patient for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or graft failure. Patients may require intensive care for stabilization, especially if they experienced significant blood loss prior to surgery. Pain management, fluid resuscitation, and monitoring of vital signs are essential components of post-operative care. Additionally, follow-up imaging may be necessary to assess the integrity of the graft and ensure proper healing of the surgical site. The recovery process may vary depending on the patient's overall health and the extent of the surgical intervention.

Short Descr REPAIR ARTERY RUPTURE AORTA
Medium Descr DIR RPR RUPTD ANEURSM ABDOM AORTA W/VISCERA VSLS
Long Descr Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for ruptured aneurysm, abdominal aorta involving visceral vessels (mesenteric, celiac, renal)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2B - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Aneurysm repair
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 52 - Aortic resection, replacement or anastomosis
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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