In simple words: During a major procedure, the surgeon accesses the iliac artery in your lower abdomen through an incision. A special tube or conduit is created to help insert a stent graft or establish a heart-lung bypass. This is a supplementary procedure to the main operation.

This code describes a procedure where a surgeon makes an open incision in the abdomen or retroperitoneal area to access the iliac artery. The purpose of this access is to create a conduit, a channel for the insertion of an endovascular prosthesis (such as a stent graft) or to establish cardiopulmonary bypass. This is an add-on code and should be reported in addition to the primary procedure code.

Example 1: A patient requires an endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and the iliac artery needs to be exposed to facilitate the delivery of the stent graft. Code 34833 is reported in addition to the primary aneurysm repair code., A patient undergoes a complex cardiac procedure necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass, and access to the iliac artery is required for establishing the bypass circuit. Code 34833 is reported alongside the primary cardiac procedure code., A patient with an iliac artery blockage requires a bypass graft, and the iliac artery is exposed for creating the bypass. Code 34833 is reported in addition to the bypass graft code.

Documentation should include the operative report detailing the iliac artery exposure, conduit creation, the primary procedure performed, and any associated procedures. It should also justify the medical necessity of the iliac artery exposure.