Wiki 35820 vs. 32120

[IHAVELKA]

If a patient is returned to the OR for post-op bleeding, which code is more appropriate to use? The approach can be via sternotomy or thoracotomy so I'm not sure why you would use one over the other...

 

[Coder708]

35820 This code is used to report exploration for postoperative hemorrhage, thrombosis, or infection complications of veins and arteries of the chest only.. More specific to the heart

32120 is used for post op Chest surgery

 

[IHAVELKA]

35820 This code is used to report exploration for postoperative hemorrhage, thrombosis, or infection complications of veins and arteries of the chest only.. More specific to the heart

32120 is used for post op Chest surgery

Thank you. That's how I've been using it in the past, but I wanted to make sure. Sometimes you just get brain-dead in this job!

 

[LeslieTapia]

if patient had a heart surgery or asceding aneurysm and starts bleeding after few hours then do we use 35820?