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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 reconstructive surgery to repair wounds or defects on various parts of the body, including the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and multiple digits. The procedure is particularly important for patients who have suffered significant skin loss due to trauma, burns, or surgical excisions. The harvesting of the dermal graft typically occurs from donor sites such as the thigh, buttocks, abdominal wall, or scalp, where the skin can be safely removed without compromising the overall integrity of the donor area. During the procedure, local anesthetic and epinephrine are administered to the donor site to minimize discomfort and control bleeding. The use of a dermatome, a specialized surgical instrument, allows for precise removal of the dermis at a controlled depth, ensuring that the graft is of adequate size and quality for successful transplantation. Once harvested, the dermal graft is meticulously prepared and placed over the recipient site, where it is secured using sutures, staples, or fibrin sealant to promote healing and integration with the surrounding tissue. This procedure is coded under CPT® Code 15135 for the first 100 square centimeters or less in adults, or for 1% of total body surface area in infants and children, with additional grafting procedures coded separately as needed.
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Dermal autografts are indicated for a variety of conditions and situations where skin repair is necessary. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The dermal autograft procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful grafting. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the dermal autograft procedure, patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or graft failure. Post-procedure care includes keeping the grafted area clean and dry, as well as following specific instructions regarding dressing changes. Patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities that could disrupt the graft during the initial healing phase. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and ensure that the graft is integrating properly with the surrounding tissue. The expected recovery time may vary depending on the size and location of the graft, as well as the individual patient's healing response.
| Short Descr | DRM AGRFT F/S/N/H/F/G/M 1ST | Medium Descr | DERMAL AUTOGRAFT F/S/N/H/F/G/M/DGT 1ST 100 SQCM | Long Descr | Dermal autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; 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.
| 15136 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Dermal autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; 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). | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | E4 | Lower right, eyelid | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F2 | Left hand, third digit | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F7 | Right hand, third digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
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