Summary & Overview
CPT 33984: Pediatric Open Removal of Peripheral Cannula for Extracorporeal Circulation
CPT code 33984 denotes the open surgical removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation in children aged six years and older. This pediatric surgical code is relevant nationally because it captures a discrete post-cardiac or extracorporeal support procedure that affects hospital surgical case mix, resource use, and quality reporting for pediatric cardiothoracic programs. Accurate coding influences hospital billing, claims processing, and aggregate procedure counts used in national benchmarking.
Key payers commonly involved in coverage and claims for this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical and billing context for 33984, including typical sites of service and the procedure’s role in perioperative pediatric extracorporeal care. The publication outlines benchmarking considerations, common claims modifiers reported with similar surgical codes, and policy or documentation themes that affect payment and audit risk. Data not available in the input will be noted where relevant. The content is intended for revenue cycle managers, clinical coders, and policy analysts seeking a practical national overview of CPT code 33984.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33984 describes the removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation through an open approach in a child aged six years and older. This procedure involves a surgical removal of a cannula placed for cardiopulmonary bypass or other extracorporeal support and applies specifically to pediatric patients six years and older.
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Service type: Surgical procedure — cannula removal for extracorporeal circulation (open approach)
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Typical site of service: Operating room or surgical suite in an inpatient or outpatient hospital setting
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 7-year-old child who previously underwent cardiopulmonary bypass for corrective congenital heart surgery is scheduled for removal of a peripheral cannula used for extracorporeal circulation. The child arrives to the pediatric cardiac surgery unit or operating room for a planned open cannula removal under general anesthesia or sedation. The clinical workflow includes preoperative verification of hemostasis and anticoagulation status, review of the operative note describing cannula placement, positioning and sterile prep of the cannulation site, surgical exposure of the cannula through the existing incision or a small open approach, controlled removal of the cannula with direct visualization of the vessel, repair of the vessel and surrounding tissues as needed, achievement of hemostasis, placement of dressings, and postoperative monitoring for bleeding, limb perfusion, and signs of infection. Typical immediate documentation elements include indication for removal, anesthesia type, operative findings, vessel repair technique, estimated blood loss, complications if any, and discharge instructions for wound care and activity restrictions. Typical site of service: operating room within an acute care hospital or pediatric ambulatory surgical center when available.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Standard modifier (no special reporting) | Rarely used; included in the input list as a neutral indicator when no modifier applies. |