October 20, 2022

Question:
I placed the peritoneal catheter for a neurosurgeon placing a V-P shunt. Do I code 49419, insertion of peritoneal catheter?

Answer:
No, you are a co-surgeon with the neurosurgeon. Code 62223, creation of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, includes both the neurosurgeon’s portion of placing the ventricular catheter and your portion of placing the peritoneal catheter. Both surgeons will report 62223-62. 

*This response is based on the best information available as of 10/20/22.