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Official Description

Bypass graft, with vein; femoral-femoral

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 35558 refers to a surgical procedure known as a femoral-femoral bypass graft using a vein. This procedure is performed to create an alternative pathway for blood flow between the femoral arteries on both sides of the body, typically in cases where one of the arteries is obstructed or narrowed due to conditions such as atherosclerosis. The procedure involves making incisions in the groin area on both sides to access the common femoral arteries. Surgeons then dissect the soft tissue to expose these arteries and create an abdominal tunnel for the placement of a cross-over graft. A vein, often the saphenous vein from the leg, is harvested to serve as the graft material. The harvested vein is carefully prepared by ligating and dividing its branches before being sutured to the common femoral arteries on both sides. This surgical intervention aims to restore adequate blood flow to the affected limb, thereby alleviating symptoms such as pain and improving overall limb function. The procedure is critical in managing vascular diseases and preventing complications associated with poor blood circulation.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Bypass graft, with vein; femoral-femoral (CPT® Code 35558) is indicated for patients experiencing significant arterial obstruction or narrowing in the femoral arteries, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the lower extremities. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) - A condition characterized by narrowed arteries reducing blood flow to the limbs, often leading to pain and mobility issues.
  • Critical Limb Ischemia - A severe obstruction of the arteries that significantly reduces blood flow, causing pain at rest and increasing the risk of limb loss.
  • Claudication - Pain or cramping in the legs or buttocks during physical activities due to inadequate blood flow.

2. Procedure

The femoral-femoral bypass graft procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful graft placement and restoration of blood flow. The following procedural steps are performed:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure - Bilateral incisions are made in the groin area over the common femoral arteries. The surgeon carefully dissects the soft tissue to expose these arteries, allowing for direct access to the vascular structures.
  • Step 2: Creation of Abdominal Tunnel - An abdominal tunnel is created to facilitate the placement of a cross-over graft. This tunnel serves as a pathway for the graft to connect the two femoral arteries.
  • Step 3: Harvesting the Vein Graft - A vein graft, typically the saphenous vein, is harvested from the leg. An incision is made over the section of the saphenous vein to be used, and the surrounding soft tissue is dissected. Branches of the vein are ligated and divided, and the selected section of the vein is ligated proximally and distally, then removed from the leg.
  • Step 4: Graft Attachment - The common femoral artery on the unobstructed side is clamped and incised. The harvested vein graft is then sutured to this artery. The graft is passed through the abdominal tunnel to the contralateral femoral artery.
  • Step 5: Final Graft Connection - The contralateral femoral artery is clamped and incised, and the graft is sutured to this artery as well. This establishes a new pathway for blood flow between the two femoral arteries.
  • Step 6: Verification of Patency - After the vascular clamps are removed, blood flow through the graft is checked using Doppler ultrasound. The surgeon evaluates distal pulses to ensure the bypass graft is patent and functioning correctly.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing a femoral-femoral bypass graft includes monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or graft failure. Patients are typically observed for changes in limb perfusion, and follow-up Doppler studies may be performed to assess graft patency. Pain management and rehabilitation may be initiated to promote recovery and improve mobility. Patients are advised on lifestyle modifications and may require ongoing monitoring for vascular health to prevent future complications.

Short Descr ART BYP GRFT FEM-FEMORAL
Medium Descr BYPASS W/VEIN FEMORAL-FEMORAL
Long Descr Bypass graft, with vein; femoral-femoral
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) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 55 - Peripheral vascular bypass

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

35572 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Harvest of femoropopliteal vein, 1 segment, for vascular reconstruction procedure (eg, aortic, vena caval, coronary, peripheral artery) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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).
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.
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.)
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
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)
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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2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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