Summary & Overview
CPT 35701: Neck Artery Exploration and Scar Tissue Removal
CPT code 35701 represents an open surgical incision of the neck to examine a cervical artery (for example, the carotid or subclavian) with removal of scar tissue when indicated. This code captures a focused vascular exploration of the neck and is relevant for cases involving arterial injury, prior surgery with scarring, or diagnostic exploration when endovascular approaches are not used.
Nationally, this code matters because it delineates a distinct operative service with implications for resource use, facility setting, and surgical team involvement. Payers in typical coverage reviews include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for when the service is reported, common sites of care (hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center), and pointers about how this procedure is classified relative to other neck and vascular codes. The publication provides benchmark-oriented guidance on expected utilization categories, coding clarity for documentation of incision and arterial examination, and notes on typical payer considerations.
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 35701 describes a surgical incision of the neck with direct examination of a neck artery such as the carotid or subclavian artery, with removal of scar tissue as necessary. This procedure is a surgical vascular exploration of the neck aimed at assessing and addressing pathology in major cervical arteries.
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Service type: Surgical vascular exploration / open neck arterial procedure
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center (inpatient or outpatient surgical setting)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 68-year-old man with a history of a prior carotid endarterectomy who presents with progressive recurrent carotid artery stenosis and a palpable neck scar with possible scar contracture limiting exposure. The surgeon plans a limited neck exploration with incision through prior scar to directly expose the carotid or subclavian artery to evaluate the vessel, remove adherent scar tissue, and determine need for repair or revision. The workflow includes preoperative evaluation (history, focused neck and neurologic exam, review of prior vascular imaging such as carotid duplex or CTA), informed consent that discusses risks of bleeding, cranial nerve injury, and stroke, and preoperative marking of the incision along prior scar. Intraoperatively the surgeon makes a neck incision, dissects through subcutaneous tissues and scar, identifies and isolates the carotid or subclavian artery, removes scar tissue as necessary to mobilize the artery, assesses the vessel for recurrent stenosis or other pathology, and documents findings. Postoperative care includes neurovascular checks, wound care, and outpatient follow-up with carotid duplex as indicated. Typical site of service is an operating room or ambulatory surgical center for a patient requiring anesthesia and potential vascular intervention. Service type: minor open surgical exploration of a neck artery with scar excision and vessel inspection.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | When work required is substantially greater than typical (extensive scar removal, difficult dissection). |