Secondary CSF leak following skull base surgery

Question:

Patient had to be taken back to the OR a day after an open skull base procedure due to a cerebrospinal fluid leak, and the dura was repaired with a synthetic graft material.  What is the correct CPT code for the repair, if it is separately reported, and do we need a modifier?

Answer:

Secondary repair of a CSF leak with a synthetic graft, after an open skull base procedure is reported with CPT code 61618 and modifier 78 would be appended for a related (complication) during the global period.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 1/30/25.