35188 repair acq av fistula head & neck
Also known as: acquired AV fistula head/neck repair, post-traumatic AVF repair
Repair of acquired arteriovenous fistula in the head and neck region with vessel reconstruction or closure.
In Plain Language
Fixing abnormal blood vessel connection from injury in neck; Repairing acquired hole between artery and vein
Clinical Context
Surgical management of acquired arteriovenous fistulas from trauma, penetrating injury, or iatrogenic causes (carotid artery puncture, dialysis fistula complications). Requires restoration of normal flow patterns and prevention of steal syndrome.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 17.55 |
| Total RVU | 17.55 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 17.55, this code ranks in the 78th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.2x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 35188?
CPT 35188 (repair acq av fistula head & neck) is a Surgery code. Repair of acquired arteriovenous fistula in the head and neck region with vessel reconstruction or closure.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 35188?
The work RVU for CPT 35188 is 17.55. This code is primarily used by Vascular Surgery, Otolaryngology, Trauma Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 35188 used?
Surgical management of acquired arteriovenous fistulas from trauma, penetrating injury, or iatrogenic causes (carotid artery puncture, dialysis fistula complications). Requires restoration of normal flow patterns and prevention of steal syndrome.
Track This Code in RVU Edge
Log procedures, calculate wRVUs, and benchmark against MGMA data — all in one app.
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.