CPT® Code 33617

The CPT® Code 33617 refers to the surgical procedure known as the modified Fontan procedure, which is specifically designed to repair complex cardiac anomalies, particularly in patients with a single ventricle heart condition. In this context, a single ventricle heart means that one of the heart's ventricles is either absent or not adequately developed, resulting in only one ventricle being capable of effectively pumping blood into the aorta and throughout the body. The modified Fontan procedure aims to enhance the efficiency of this single ventricle by optimizing blood flow to both the systemic circulation and the lungs. Over the years, various modifications have been introduced to the original Fontan procedure to improve outcomes, with the lateral tunnel Fontan procedure being one of the most commonly utilized techniques. This surgical intervention involves a series of precise steps, including median sternotomy to access the heart, initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, and specific incisions in the right atrium and pulmonary artery to facilitate the creation of a lateral tunnel. This tunnel is constructed using a synthetic tube graft, which serves to direct blood flow from the inferior and superior vena cavae into the pulmonary arteries, thereby improving oxygenation and overall cardiac function in patients with this complex condition.