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Official Description

Removal of complete cerebrospinal fluid shunt system; without replacement

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 62256 involves the removal of a complete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt system without replacement. A cerebrospinal fluid shunt system is a medical device used to manage conditions that cause an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, such as hydrocephalus. The shunt system typically consists of a valve and catheters that divert excess CSF from the brain to another part of the body, where it can be absorbed. Removal of the shunt system may be necessary if it was placed temporarily or if complications arise, such as obstruction or infection. In this procedure, the shunt valve is exposed, and both the proximal and distal catheters are detached from the valve before being removed. The removal process involves making incisions, dissecting soft tissues, and utilizing guidewires to facilitate the extraction of the catheters. This procedure is critical in managing complications associated with shunt systems and ensuring patient safety and comfort.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The removal of a complete cerebrospinal fluid shunt system, as described by CPT® Code 62256, is indicated in specific clinical scenarios. These include:

  • Temporary Placement The shunt may have been placed temporarily to manage a condition that has since resolved.
  • Complications The procedure is indicated in cases where complications arise, such as obstruction of the shunt or infection, necessitating its removal.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the removal of a complete cerebrospinal fluid shunt system involves several detailed steps:

  • Exposure of the Shunt Valve The first step involves making an incision to expose the shunt valve. This allows access to the components of the shunt system.
  • Detachment of Catheters Once the shunt valve is exposed, the proximal and distal catheters are carefully detached from the shunt valve. This step is crucial to ensure that the system can be removed without causing damage to surrounding tissues.
  • Removal of the Proximal Catheter To remove the proximal catheter, a skin incision is made directly over the shunt. The overlying soft tissues are dissected, and any anchoring sutures are cut. A guidewire is then advanced through the catheter to its proximal end, allowing the catheter to be removed over the guidewire. At this point, a temporary drain may be placed over the guidewire, or the guidewire may be removed, and the dura is closed.
  • Removal of the Distal Catheter The distal catheter removal process begins with the placement of a guidewire. The subcutaneous tunnel is opened, and the shunt is dissected free from the tunnel. The terminal end of the distal catheter is then removed, completing the extraction of the shunt system.

3. Post-Procedure

After the removal of the cerebrospinal fluid shunt system, post-procedure care is essential to ensure proper recovery. Patients may require monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The surgical site should be kept clean and dry, and any sutures may need to be removed at a follow-up appointment. Additionally, the patient may need to be evaluated for alternative management strategies for their underlying condition that necessitated the shunt placement. Follow-up care is critical to assess the patient's recovery and to address any ongoing symptoms related to the original condition.

Short Descr REMOVE BRAIN CAVITY SHUNT
Medium Descr RMVL COMPL CSF SHUNT SYSTEM W/O RPLCMT SHUNT
Long Descr Removal of complete cerebrospinal fluid shunt system; without replacement
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) 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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 2 - Insertion, replacement, or removal of extracranial ventricular shunt
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.)
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
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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2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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