How To Use CPT Code 15734

CPT 15734 refers to a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap procedure involving the trunk. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, billing guidelines, documentation requirements, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 15734.

1. What is CPT 15734?

CPT 15734 is a medical procedure code used to describe a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap surgery involving the trunk. This procedure is performed to repair defects on the patient’s body using a flap obtained from the trunk area. The flap is then placed over the defect and blood circulation is restored through microvascular reconstruction.

2. 15734 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 15734 is: “Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; trunk.”

3. Procedure

  1. The patient is placed under general anesthesia.
  2. The physician prepares the donor flap site on the trunk and recipient site, which may be on the trunk or elsewhere.
  3. A myocutaneous flap consisting of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fat, and muscle is excised from the donor site.
  4. The flap is placed at the site of repair.
  5. Blood vessels of the flap are connected to the vessels at the site under microscopic guidance.
  6. The repair is checked for leakages by injecting dye into the vessels.
  7. If required, repairs are done to the vessels again and the flap is secured with sutures.
  8. The skin of the donor and recipient sites is closed with sutures and dressing is applied to both sites.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 15734 services are those with defects on their body that require repair using a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap from the trunk. These defects may be due to trauma, surgical procedures, or chronic wounds that have not healed with conservative treatment. The patient’s overall health, the location and size of the defect, and the availability of suitable donor tissue are factors that determine the appropriateness of this procedure.

5. When to use CPT code 15734

It is appropriate to bill the 15734 CPT code when a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap procedure involving the trunk is performed to repair a defect on the patient’s body. This code should be used when the flap is obtained from the trunk and placed over the defect, with blood circulation restored through microvascular reconstruction.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 15734, the following information should be documented:

  • Patient’s medical history and physical examination findings.
  • Indication for the procedure, including the location and size of the defect.
  • Description of the flap type (muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous) and the donor site location on the trunk.
  • Detailed description of the procedure, including anesthesia, flap excision, placement, microvascular reconstruction, and closure of donor and recipient sites.
  • Postoperative care instructions and follow-up plan.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 15734, it is essential to follow the guidelines and rules set forth by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Ensure that the documentation supports the medical necessity of the procedure and accurately reflects the services provided. Additionally, be aware of any payer-specific requirements or policies related to CPT code 15734.

8. Historical information

CPT 15734 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 15734

Five similar codes to CPT 15734 and how they differentiate are:

  1. CPT 15570: Involves a direct or tubed pedicle flap grafting procedure on the trunk.
  2. CPT 15600: Refers to a delay or sectioning of flap grafting procedure on the trunk.
  3. CPT 15732: Involves a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap procedure on the face or scalp.
  4. CPT 15733: Refers to a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap procedure on the extremities.
  5. CPT 15738: Involves a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap procedure on the breast.

10. Examples

  1. A patient with a large abdominal wall defect following tumor resection requires a myocutaneous flap from the latissimus dorsi muscle for reconstruction.
  2. A patient with a chronic non-healing wound on the lower back requires a fasciocutaneous flap from the upper back for coverage.
  3. A patient with a traumatic chest wall defect requires a muscle flap from the rectus abdominis muscle for repair.
  4. A patient with a post-surgical defect on the flank requires a myocutaneous flap from the contralateral flank for reconstruction.
  5. A patient with a pressure ulcer on the sacrum requires a fasciocutaneous flap from the gluteal region for coverage.
  6. A patient with a large defect on the anterior chest wall following mastectomy requires a myocutaneous flap from the rectus abdominis muscle for reconstruction.
  7. A patient with a post-surgical defect on the upper back requires a muscle flap from the latissimus dorsi muscle for repair.
  8. A patient with a chronic non-healing wound on the lower abdomen requires a fasciocutaneous flap from the upper abdomen for coverage.
  9. A patient with a traumatic defect on the posterior chest wall requires a muscle flap from the latissimus dorsi muscle for repair.
  10. A patient with a large defect on the lateral chest wall following tumor resection requires a myocutaneous flap from the contralateral chest wall for reconstruction.

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