35226 Repair blood vessel dir lxtr
Also known as: lower extremity vessel repair, leg vessel repair
Repair of blood vessel injury in the lower extremity using direct suture technique without graft placement.
In Plain Language
Fixing torn leg blood vessel; Repairing leg artery or vein
Clinical Context
Surgical management of lower extremity vascular injuries from penetrating trauma, motor vehicle accidents, or iatrogenic causes. Direct repair appropriate for clean injuries with good vessel quality and absence of significant tissue loss.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 14.92 |
| Total RVU | 14.92 |
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 14.92, this code ranks in the 73rd percentile among Surgery codes — 1.9x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 35226?
CPT 35226 (Repair blood vessel dir lxtr) is a Surgery code. Repair of blood vessel injury in the lower extremity using direct suture technique without graft placement.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 35226?
The work RVU for CPT 35226 is 14.92. This code is primarily used by Vascular Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 35226 used?
Surgical management of lower extremity vascular injuries from penetrating trauma, motor vehicle accidents, or iatrogenic causes. Direct repair appropriate for clean injuries with good vessel quality and absence of significant tissue loss.
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.