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Official Description

Thromboendarterectomy, including patch graft, if performed; carotid, vertebral, subclavian, by neck incision

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Thromboendarterectomy is a surgical procedure aimed at removing a thrombus, which can be a blood clot or atherosclerotic plaque, from the carotid, vertebral, or subclavian arteries. This procedure is performed through a neck incision, allowing direct access to the affected artery. The primary goal of thromboendarterectomy is to restore normal blood flow by eliminating obstructions that can lead to serious complications, such as stroke or transient ischemic attacks. During the procedure, the surgeon carefully isolates the thrombosed segment of the artery, ensuring that surrounding structures are preserved. A temporary shunt may be utilized to maintain cerebral perfusion while the artery is being repaired. The procedure involves meticulous dissection, removal of the arterial intima along with the thrombus, and subsequent reconstruction of the artery, which may include the use of a patch graft to enhance the diameter of the artery. This comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate blockage but also aims to prevent future vascular complications.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Thromboendarterectomy is indicated for patients presenting with specific vascular conditions that necessitate the removal of obstructions from the carotid, vertebral, or subclavian arteries. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Carotid Artery Occlusion Patients with significant stenosis or occlusion of the carotid artery, which can lead to reduced cerebral blood flow and increase the risk of stroke.
  • Vertebral Artery Stenosis Individuals experiencing reduced blood flow due to stenosis in the vertebral artery, potentially leading to neurological deficits.
  • Subclavian Artery Obstruction Patients with obstruction in the subclavian artery that may cause symptoms such as arm ischemia or vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

2. Procedure

The thromboendarterectomy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective removal of the thrombus and restoration of blood flow. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Incision An access incision is made in the neck over the affected artery, providing the surgeon with direct visibility and access to the vascular structures.
  • Step 2: Isolation and Dissection The thrombosed portion of the artery is carefully isolated and dissected from adjacent tissues to prevent damage to surrounding structures during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Temporary Shunt Placement To maintain cerebral perfusion during the surgery, a temporary shunt may be placed, allowing blood to bypass the obstructed area.
  • Step 4: Clamping Vascular clamps are applied both proximal and distal to the obstructed segment of the artery to control blood flow and facilitate the removal of the thrombus.
  • Step 5: Artery Incision and Debris Removal The artery is incised, and the thrombus, along with any atherosclerotic plaque, is meticulously removed to clear the obstruction.
  • Step 6: Intima Removal The artery lining, known as the intima, is separated from the arterial walls and excised to increase the diameter of the artery, promoting better blood flow.
  • Step 7: Suturing The edges of the remaining normal intima are sutured to the vessel walls to ensure proper closure and integrity of the artery.
  • Step 8: Patch Grafting (if necessary) If required, a venous or synthetic patch graft is applied to enlarge the diameter of the artery, enhancing its capacity to carry blood.
  • Step 9: Shunt Removal If a temporary shunt was used, it is removed once the artery is adequately repaired.
  • Step 10: Restoration of Blood Flow The vascular clamps are released, allowing blood flow to resume through the affected artery.
  • Step 11: Hemostasis Check The arterial suture line is carefully checked for hemostasis to ensure there is no bleeding at the surgical site.
  • Step 12: Closure of Overlying Tissues Finally, the overlying tissues are closed in layers to complete the procedure and promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the thromboendarterectomy, patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection. Recovery may involve a hospital stay where vital signs and neurological status are closely observed. Patients may be prescribed medications to manage pain and prevent thromboembolic events. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the success of the procedure and ensure that blood flow remains adequate. Rehabilitation may be recommended to help patients regain strength and function, particularly if they experienced symptoms prior to the surgery. Overall, the post-procedure care aims to support recovery and minimize the risk of future vascular issues.

Short Descr RECHANNELING OF ARTERY
Medium Descr TEAEC W/PATCH GRF CAROTID VERTB SUBCLAV NECK INC
Long Descr Thromboendarterectomy, including patch graft, if performed; carotid, vertebral, subclavian, by neck incision
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
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) P2C - Major Procedure, cardiovascular-Thromboendarterectomy
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 51 - Endarterectomy, vessel of head and neck

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

35390 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Reoperation, carotid, thromboendarterectomy, more than 1 month after original operation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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.)
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
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.
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.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
ET Emergency services
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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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2007-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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