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Official Description

Bypass graft, with other than vein; femoral-anterior tibial, posterior tibial, or peroneal artery

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A bypass graft using other than vein is a surgical procedure performed on the arteries of the lower extremities, specifically targeting the femoral-anterior tibial, posterior tibial, or peroneal arteries. This procedure is indicated when there is a need to restore blood flow to the lower leg due to arterial blockages or other vascular issues. The surgery involves creating a new pathway for blood to flow, bypassing the obstructed or diseased segment of the artery. The operation begins with a groin incision on the affected side to expose the femoral artery, which is a major blood vessel supplying the leg. The surgeon then identifies the distal anastomosis site on the anterior tibial, posterior tibial, or peroneal artery, which will receive the graft. The use of a synthetic graft, rather than a vein, is crucial in this procedure, as it provides a durable and effective means of restoring circulation. The surgical technique includes careful anastomosis of the graft to both the proximal and distal arteries, ensuring that blood flow is reestablished effectively. Post-surgery, the patency of the graft is confirmed through Doppler ultrasound and evaluation of distal pulses, ensuring that the bypass is functioning as intended.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The bypass graft procedure using other than vein is indicated for patients experiencing significant arterial occlusion or insufficiency in the lower extremities. The specific indications for this procedure include:

  • Arterial Blockage - Presence of atherosclerosis or other conditions leading to narrowed or blocked arteries in the lower leg.
  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) - A condition characterized by reduced blood flow to the limbs, causing pain and potential tissue damage.
  • Critical Limb Ischemia - Severe obstruction of blood flow to the extremities, which may lead to pain at rest, ulcers, or gangrene.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a bypass graft with other than vein involves several critical steps to ensure successful grafting and restoration of blood flow. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure - A groin incision is made on the affected side to access the femoral artery. This incision allows the surgeon to expose the artery and prepare for the grafting procedure.
  • Step 2: Identification of Anastomosis Sites - The surgeon identifies the distal anastomosis site on the anterior tibial, posterior tibial, or peroneal artery. This site is crucial for connecting the graft to restore blood flow.
  • Step 3: Graft Preparation - An appropriately sized tubular synthetic graft is selected and prepared for implantation. The choice of a synthetic graft is essential for durability and effectiveness in bypassing the blocked artery.
  • Step 4: Proximal Anastomosis - The proximal end of the graft is anastomosed to the femoral artery. This involves clamping the proximal artery, incising it, and securely attaching the graft to ensure a tight seal.
  • Step 5: Distal Anastomosis - The distal artery is then clamped and incised, and the distal end of the graft is anastomosed to the identified artery. This step completes the bypass pathway for blood flow.
  • Step 6: Hemostasis and Flow Check - After both anastomoses are completed, vascular clamps are released. The surgeon checks for hemostasis at all anastomosis sites and evaluates blood flow through the graft using Doppler ultrasound, as well as assessing distal pulses to ensure the bypass is patent.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or graft failure. Patients are typically observed for adequate blood flow to the lower extremities, and follow-up Doppler studies may be performed to assess graft patency. Pain management and wound care are also essential components of post-operative care. Patients may be advised on activity restrictions and rehabilitation to promote recovery and improve circulation in the affected limb.

Short Descr ART BYP FEM-ANT-POST TIB/PRL
Medium Descr BYP OTH/THN VEIN FEM-ANT TIBL PST TIBL/PRONEAL
Long Descr Bypass graft, with other than vein; femoral-anterior tibial, posterior tibial, or peroneal artery
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 2
CCS Clinical Classification 55 - Peripheral vascular bypass

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

35685 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Placement of vein patch or cuff at distal anastomosis of bypass graft, synthetic conduit (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
35686 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Creation of distal arteriovenous fistula during lower extremity bypass surgery (non-hemodialysis) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
35700 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Reoperation, femoral-popliteal or femoral (popliteal)-anterior tibial, posterior tibial, peroneal artery, or other distal vessels, more than 1 month after original operation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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).
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AZ Physician providing a service in a dental health professional shortage area for the purpose of an electronic health record incentive payment
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
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
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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
Date
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2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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