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Varicose vein clusters refer to small groups of enlarged veins that often appear in a winding pattern or as knots visible through the skin. These clusters can lead to various symptoms, including tenderness upon touch, a sensation of heaviness, aching, pain, and even skin rashes or sores in the legs. The procedure described by CPT® Code 37785 involves the surgical intervention for these clusters in one leg. During the procedure, an incision is made directly over the varicose vein cluster to expose it. The surgeon then carefully dissects the venous branches associated with the cluster, performing suture ligation and division of these veins. This process includes ligating the vein both above and below the cluster to effectively isolate it. The surgeon may choose to divide the vein at these points or completely remove it from the surrounding tissue. After the necessary interventions are completed, the incisions made over the vein cluster are closed in a layered manner to promote proper healing. This procedure may be repeated for each symptomatic varicose vein cluster present in the leg, ensuring comprehensive treatment of the affected areas.
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Indications for the ligation, division, and/or excision of varicose vein clusters include the presence of symptomatic varicose veins that may cause discomfort or complications. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for ligation, division, and/or excision of varicose vein clusters involves several key steps, each critical for the successful treatment of the affected veins:
Post-procedure care following the ligation, division, and/or excision of varicose vein clusters typically involves monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or excessive bleeding. Patients may be advised to rest and elevate the affected leg to reduce swelling and promote healing. Pain management may be necessary, and the use of compression garments may be recommended to support the healing process. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the surgical site and ensure proper recovery. Patients should be informed about signs of complications that warrant immediate medical attention, such as increased pain, redness, or discharge from the incision sites.
| Short Descr | LIGATE/DIVIDE/EXCISE VEIN | Medium Descr | LIGJ DIVJ &/EXCJ VARICOSE VEIN CLUSTER 1 LEG | Long Descr | Ligation, division, and/or excision of varicose vein cluster(s), 1 leg | 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) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | 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 | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 53 - Varicose vein stripping, lower limb |
| 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). | 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.) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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). | 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. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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.) | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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