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Dermal autografts are specialized surgical procedures that involve the transplantation of skin tissue, specifically the dermis, from one area of the body to another. This technique is commonly utilized in the treatment of wounds, burns, or other skin defects where the dermal layer is required to promote healing and restore skin integrity. The donor sites for these grafts typically include areas such as the thigh, buttocks, abdominal wall, or scalp, where sufficient skin can be harvested without compromising the donor's overall health. During the procedure, local anesthetic and epinephrine are administered to the subcutaneous tissue at the donor site to minimize discomfort and control bleeding. The use of a dermatome, a specialized surgical instrument, allows for precise harvesting of the dermal layer. The oscillating blade of the dermatome is adjusted to the appropriate depth to create a split-thickness skin graft, which is raised but not fully harvested from the dermal bed. A second pass with the dermatome is then performed to obtain the necessary dermal graft. Once prepared, the dermal graft is carefully placed over the wound bed at the recipient site and secured using sutures, staples, or fibrin sealant. The split-thickness graft that was initially raised is then applied back to the donor site to aid in its healing. This procedure is coded as CPT® Code 15130 for the first 100 square centimeters or less in adults, or for 1% of total body surface area in infants and children, with additional grafts coded under CPT® Code 15131.
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Dermal autografts are indicated for various conditions where skin integrity is compromised and requires restoration. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure for performing a dermal autograft involves several critical steps to ensure successful grafting and healing. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the dermal autograft procedure, careful monitoring of both the donor and recipient sites is essential for optimal recovery. Post-procedure care may include instructions for wound care, signs of infection to watch for, and pain management strategies. Patients are typically advised to keep the grafted area clean and dry, and to avoid any activities that may stress the graft or donor site. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing process and to ensure that the graft is integrating properly with the surrounding tissue. The expected recovery time may vary based on individual healing rates and the extent of the grafting performed.
| Short Descr | DRM AGRFT T/A/L 1ST 100 SQCM | Medium Descr | DERMAL AGRFT T/A/L 1ST 100 SQCM/1%INFT/CHLD | Long Descr | Dermal autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 172 - Skin graft |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 15131 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Dermal autograft, trunk, arms, legs; each additional 100 sq cm, or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
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