© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 35261 involves the surgical repair of a blood vessel located in the neck using a graft that is not derived from a vein. This type of intervention is typically necessary when there is damage to a blood vessel, which can occur due to trauma, disease, or other medical conditions. The approach taken during the surgery is contingent upon the specific blood vessel that has sustained injury. Initially, the surgeon exposes the affected blood vessel and applies clamps both proximal and distal to the site of injury. This clamping is crucial as it helps to control any bleeding that may occur during the procedure. In some cases, to maintain blood flow while the repair is being performed, a temporary shunt may be placed. Once the area is adequately prepared, the surgeon assesses the extent of the injury to determine the best course of action for repair. If an arterial graft is deemed necessary, a segment of artery is harvested from another location in the body and prepared for grafting. Alternatively, a synthetic graft may be utilized if appropriate. The next step involves debriding the edges of the injured blood vessel to ensure a clean surface for the graft. The prepared graft, whether arterial or synthetic, is then meticulously sewn to the ends of the injured blood vessel. After the graft is secured, the temporary shunt is removed, and the clamps are released. The surgeon checks for hemostasis, ensuring that there is no bleeding along the suture line. Finally, the overlying tissues are repaired in layers with sutures, completing the procedure and restoring the integrity of the blood vessel in the neck.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 35261 is indicated for the repair of a blood vessel in the neck that has been compromised due to various conditions. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure for repairing a blood vessel in the neck with a graft other than a vein involves several critical steps, each essential for ensuring a successful outcome. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care following the repair of a blood vessel in the neck with a graft involves monitoring for complications and ensuring proper recovery. Patients are typically observed for signs of bleeding, infection, or graft failure. Pain management is also an important aspect of post-operative care. The surgical site may require dressing changes, and patients are advised on activity restrictions to promote healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the success of the graft and the overall recovery process. Additionally, any specific instructions provided by the surgeon regarding wound care and activity levels should be closely followed to ensure optimal outcomes.
| Short Descr | RPR BLVSL GRF OTH/THN VN NCK | Medium Descr | REPAIR BLOOD VESSEL W/GRAFT OTHER/THAN VEIN NECK | Long Descr | Repair blood vessel with graft other than vein; neck | 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 | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 59 - Other OR procedures on vessels of head and neck |
| 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). | 54 | Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number. | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 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.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 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 | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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