49425 Insert abdomen-venous drainage
Also known as: peritoneovenous shunt, abdominal-venous shunt, LeVeen shunt
Insertion of venous shunt catheter from abdominal cavity to venous system for drainage of ascites (peritoneovenous shunt).
In Plain Language
tube to drain fluid from abdomen to vein; shunt for ascites drainage
Clinical Context
Surgical insertion of catheter or shunt between peritoneal cavity and venous system for refractory ascites. Used in cirrhosis or malignant ascites unresponsive to medical therapy.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 11.91 |
| Total RVU | 11.91 |
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 11.91, this code ranks in the 65th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.5x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 49425?
CPT 49425 (Insert abdomen-venous drainage) is a Surgery code. Insertion of venous shunt catheter from abdominal cavity to venous system for drainage of ascites (peritoneovenous shunt).
What is the wRVU value for CPT 49425?
The work RVU for CPT 49425 is 11.91. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Hepatology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 49425 used?
Surgical insertion of catheter or shunt between peritoneal cavity and venous system for refractory ascites. Used in cirrhosis or malignant ascites unresponsive to medical therapy.
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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.