AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2013 Issue 2; Ask the Editor

Revision of Cardiac Device Pocket

A patient is status post left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle lead extraction with re-implantation seven days ago. The patient developed a pocket hematoma and presented today to the electrophysiology lab for pocket hematoma evacuation with re-suturing of the incision. Provider documentation indicates that an incision was made over the existing prior suture line. Copious blood was expressed and removed and the device was then delivered. The pocket was cleaned of all the old blood. The LV lead was disconnected from the device and reconnected. The pocket was irrigated; the generator was placed into the prepectoral pocket and sutured in place. The wound was closed with three layers of sutures. The procedure was tolerated well. Is it appropriate to assign code 37.79, Revision or relocation of cardiac device pocket, for this procedure?  ...

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