How To Use CPT Code 15750

CPT code 15750 describes the creation of a flap neurovascular pedicle by a healthcare provider. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 15750?

CPT 15750 is a code used to describe the creation of a flap neurovascular pedicle by a healthcare provider. This procedure involves incising the healthy skin and tissue around the donor site, elevating it, and placing it on an area of wound or injury. The flap created in this procedure retains a connection to a named blood vessel from the donor site, ensuring a rich blood supply. Additionally, the flap also has a nerve that remains attached for the transmission of motor and sensory signals.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 15750 is: ‘Flap neurovascular pedicle.’

3. Procedure

The procedure for CPT code 15750 involves several steps:

1. The healthcare provider preps and anesthetizes the patient.
2. The provider creates an incision in the skin and tissue around the healthy donor site.
3. A flap is created, ensuring that it maintains a connection to the donor vasculature for a rich blood supply.
4. The provider ensures that the flap also maintains a connection to one or more donor nerves responsible for motor and sensory signals.
5. The flap is then placed on the recipient site, which is the area of injury or wound.
6. Tunneling under the skin may be necessary to move the flap without cutting the blood and nerve supply.
7. The provider closes the donor and recipient sites and applies sterile dressings.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT code 15750 is used when a flap neurovascular pedicle is created by a healthcare provider. This procedure is typically performed on patients who require reconstruction or repair of a wound or injury. The flap created in this procedure retains a connection to a named blood vessel from the donor site, ensuring a rich blood supply. Additionally, the flap also has a nerve that remains attached for the transmission of motor and sensory signals.

5. When to use CPT code 15750

CPT code 15750 should be used when a healthcare provider creates a flap neurovascular pedicle during a surgical procedure. This code is appropriate when the procedure involves the incision of healthy skin and tissue around the donor site, elevation of the flap, and placement on the recipient site. It is important to note that CPT code 15750 should not be reported if the procedure does not involve the creation of a flap neurovascular pedicle.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 15750, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis or reason for the procedure
• Description of the flap neurovascular pedicle created
• Date of the procedure
• Details of the procedure, including the incision, elevation of the flap, and placement on the recipient site
• Any additional relevant information or complications
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 15750, ensure that the procedure performed by the healthcare provider involves the creation of a flap neurovascular pedicle. It is important to accurately document the details of the procedure and provide the necessary supporting documentation. CPT code 15750 should not be reported if the procedure does not involve the creation of a flap neurovascular pedicle.

8. Historical information

CPT code 15750 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 15750

There are several similar codes to CPT code 15750 that describe other flap and graft procedures. These include:

• CPT 15740: Flap with blood supply only, without one or more nerves
• CPT 15755: Free flap
• CPT 15756: Free flap with microvascular anastomosis
• CPT 15757: Free flap with microvascular anastomosis, supermicrosurgical technique
• CPT 15758: Free flap with microvascular anastomosis, supermicrosurgical technique, including vein graft(s)

9. Examples

1. A plastic surgeon creating a flap neurovascular pedicle to reconstruct a facial defect caused by trauma.
2. An orthopedic surgeon using a flap neurovascular pedicle to repair a complex hand injury.
3. A reconstructive surgeon performing a flap neurovascular pedicle procedure to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy.
4. A maxillofacial surgeon utilizing a flap neurovascular pedicle to repair a defect in the jaw caused by tumor resection.
5. A vascular surgeon performing a flap neurovascular pedicle procedure to restore blood flow to a limb.
6. A general surgeon using a flap neurovascular pedicle to repair a large abdominal wall defect.
7. A plastic surgeon utilizing a flap neurovascular pedicle to reconstruct a scalp defect caused by burns.
8. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performing a flap neurovascular pedicle procedure to repair a defect in the palate.
9. A dermatologic surgeon using a flap neurovascular pedicle to reconstruct a nasal defect caused by skin cancer removal.
10. A hand surgeon performing a flap neurovascular pedicle procedure to repair a complex finger injury.