March 2016 page 10
Surgery: Cardiovascular System
Question: How many incisions are required in order to correctly report code 36818, Arteriovenous anastomosis, open; by upper arm cephalic vein transposition?
Answer: Code 36818 requires two upper arm incisions: medial over the brachial artery and lateral to expose a portion of the vein. A tunnel is created between the incisions, and complete dissection of a substantial portion of the cephalic vein is required to allow it to be moved to a more superficial location and pulled through the tunnel for anastomosis with the brachial artery on the medial aspect of the...
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