CPT® Code 35141

Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, and associated occlusive disease, common femoral artery (profunda femoris, superficial femoral)

The procedure described by CPT® Code 35141 involves the surgical intervention for the repair of an aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm located in the common femoral artery, which is also known as the superficial femoral artery or profunda femoris. An aneurysm is characterized by an abnormal enlargement or dilation of the artery, which can arise from various causes, including arteriosclerosis, mechanical obstruction, or malposition of the artery. Less frequently, aneurysms may be attributed to conditions such as syphilis, tuberculosis, or structural abnormalities of the vessel wall, such as fibromuscular dysplasia. In contrast, a pseudoaneurysm is a hematoma that forms in direct communication with the artery wall but does not involve all three layers of the arterial wall, typically resulting from trauma or complications from medical procedures like catheterization. The common femoral artery serves as a continuation of the external iliac artery, extending from the inguinal ligament down to the popliteal artery. The surgical approach to repair these vascular issues involves making an incision in the leg to access the femoral artery, followed by the division of overlying soft tissues to expose the artery. Control of the femoral artery is established both above and below the aneurysm to facilitate safe surgical intervention. The procedure may include direct repair of the artery, excision of the aneurysm, and the insertion of a graft, which can be either autogenous (using the patient's own saphenous vein) or synthetic. The choice of technique depends on the specific circumstances of the aneurysm and the surgeon's discretion. This procedure is typically performed in a nonemergent, elective setting, distinguishing it from emergency procedures for ruptured aneurysms, which are coded differently under CPT® Code 35142.