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The procedure described by CPT® Code 35870 refers to the surgical intervention known as the repair of a graft-enteric fistula. A graft-enteric fistula is an abnormal connection that forms between a vascular graft, typically one used for abdominal aortic repair, and the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the duodenum. This condition can also arise between other abdominal artery grafts and sections of the bowel. The surgical approach involves a thorough exploration of the abdomen, where the surgeon carefully dissects the bowel away from the graft to prevent further complications. The identification of the fistula is a critical step in the procedure, as it allows for the appropriate management of the abnormal connection. Prior to the actual repair of the fistula, a separate aortic or arterial bypass procedure is usually performed, which is reported separately for billing purposes. Following the identification and removal of the graft, the surgeon proceeds to repair the affected section of the bowel. To mitigate the risk of recurrence of the fistula, omentum—a fold of peritoneum—may be placed between the newly repaired bowel and the graft. This procedure is essential for restoring normal bowel function and preventing further complications associated with graft-enteric fistulas.
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The repair of a graft-enteric fistula, as described by CPT® Code 35870, is indicated in specific clinical scenarios where an abnormal connection has formed between a vascular graft and the gastrointestinal tract. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:
The procedure for the repair of a graft-enteric fistula involves several critical steps that ensure the effective management of the condition. Each step is essential for the successful outcome of the surgery.
After the completion of the graft-enteric fistula repair, patients typically require careful monitoring and post-operative care. This may include management of pain, monitoring for signs of infection, and ensuring proper bowel function. Patients may be advised on dietary modifications and gradual reintroduction of food as they recover. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and to ensure that no complications arise from the surgery. The overall recovery time may vary depending on the individual patient's health status and the complexity of the procedure performed.
| Short Descr | REPAIR VESSEL GRAFT DEFECT | Medium Descr | RPR GRF-ENTERIC FSTL | Long Descr | Repair of graft-enteric fistula | 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) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | 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 | 61 - Other OR procedures on vessels other than head and neck |
| 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. | 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). | 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.) | 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 |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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