Summary & Overview
CPT 33966: Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Child ≥6 Years
Headline: CPT code 33966: Pediatric Peripheral Cannula Removal for Extracorporeal Circulation
Lead: CPT code 33966 denotes the percutaneous or incision-based removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation in children aged six years and older. The code captures a distinct pediatric surgical service tied to management of extracorporeal support devices and is relevant to hospitals, surgical teams, and payers overseeing pediatric cardiac and extracorporeal care.
CPT code 33966 represents a targeted surgical procedure used to extract peripheral cannulae placed for extracorporeal circulation in pediatric patients. Nationally, accurate coding of this procedure matters for procedural tracking, resource planning in pediatric cardiac programs, and claims processing for hospital-based surgical services. The analysis covers major national payers: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will learn the clinical scope and billing context for CPT code 33966, typical sites where the service is delivered, common modifier usage patterns (listed separately), and gaps where input data is not provided. The summary provides benchmarks and policy-relevant points where available; if certain data elements are not provided in the source input, the report states "Data not available in the input." This publication is intended to clarify coding intent, service context, and payer coverage considerations for stakeholders processing or reviewing claims for pediatric extracorporeal cannula removal.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33966 describes the percutaneous or open removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation in a child six years and older. This procedure involves extracting a vascular cannula inserted for extracorporeal support, performed either through the skin percutaneously or via a small incision.
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Service type: Surgical removal of extracorporeal circulation peripheral cannula in a pediatric patient (age ≥ 6 years)
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Typical site of service: Operating room, procedure suite, or other hospital-based surgical setting where extracorporeal circulation devices are managed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a child aged six years or older who previously required extracorporeal circulation (ECMO or cardiopulmonary bypass) and now needs removal of a peripheral cannula placed percutaneously or via a small skin incision. Common scenarios include recovery after pediatric cardiac surgery, resolution of respiratory failure managed with ECMO, or removal after temporary circulatory support following trauma or sepsis. The clinical workflow begins with pre-procedure assessment (vital signs, anticoagulation status, coagulation studies), informed consent from the parent/guardian, and preparation in an operating room, interventional suite, or procedure room depending on patient stability. The child is positioned and monitored, local anesthesia or general anesthesia is used per team decision, and the cannula is removed percutaneously or through a small incision with direct compression, vessel repair if needed, and sterile dressing application. Post-procedure care includes hemostasis monitoring, limb perfusion checks, documentation of cannula removal details (site, size, complications), and discharge instructions to the inpatient unit or ICU. Billing reflects a single procedure to remove a peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation in a child six years and older using 33966.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier (default) | Use when no special circumstances apply. |