Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: How can we report reposition or revision of pump and debridement of the abdominal wound for infection, following ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement. Should only a debridement code be used? Our surgeon documented a diagnosis of wound dehiscence and pump malposition.

New Jersey Subscriber

Answer: For the intrathecal catheter and pump, you report code 64999 (Unlisted procedure, nervous system). You report 10180 (Incision and drainage, complex, postoperation would infection) for the shunt wound debridement. You report the ICD codes 996.2 (Mechanical complication of nervous system device implant and graft) for the device complication and 998.32 (Disruption of external operation [surgical] wound) for the disruption of the surgical wound.