Summary & Overview
CPT 33969: Open Removal of Peripheral Extracorporeal Cannula, Pediatric
CPT code 33969 designates the open removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation in children from birth through five years of age. The code captures a discrete pediatric surgical service often associated with cardiothoracic or extracorporeal support workflows. Nationally, accurate coding for this procedure is important for clinical documentation, resource planning in pediatric surgical units, and alignment with payer coverage policies for pediatric extracorporeal interventions.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical context and typical site of service, plus guidance on what to expect from payer coverage considerations and common billing modifiers (where provided). The publication outlines benchmarks and policy-relevant items related to pediatric extracorporeal cannula management, highlights clinical scenarios where this code is applicable, and identifies areas where input data was not available.
This national-level summary is intended for coding professionals, billing managers, and clinical administrators seeking a clear, practice-focused description of CPT code 33969 and the operational considerations surrounding pediatric open removal of extracorporeal peripheral cannulas.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33969 describes the removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation performed through an open approach in a pediatric patient from birth through five years of age. This is a surgical procedure specific to very young children requiring removal of cannulation hardware placed for cardiopulmonary bypass or other extracorporeal support.
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Service type: Surgical procedure (open removal of extracorporeal peripheral cannula)
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Typical site of service: Operating room or other procedural surgical setting where pediatric cardiothoracic or vascular procedures are performed
Data not available in the input for payers, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a neonate or infant (birth through five years) who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart surgery and now requires removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation. The child is in a pediatric cardiothoracic unit following an operative procedure such as ventricular septal defect repair or arterial switch. Removal occurs in a controlled operating room or pediatric intensive care unit setting with sterile technique, hemostasis assessment, and monitoring for bleeding, arrhythmia, or vascular compromise. The workflow includes pre-procedure verification of identity and consent, review of anticoagulation status, preparation of pediatric vascular instruments and sutures, administration of analgesia or sedation as indicated, open surgical exposure of the cannulation site, removal of the cannula, vessel repair and closure, dressing application, and post-procedure monitoring for hemodynamic stability and limb perfusion. Documentation includes the CPT code 33969, operative findings, anticoagulation reversal details, estimated blood loss, and post-removal vascular status.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier — standard reporting | Use when no other modifier applies and the procedure is billed as routine. |