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A tissue cultured skin autograft is a specialized surgical procedure utilized to cover defects located on the trunk, arms, or legs of a patient. This technique involves the harvesting of epidermal tissue from the patient, which is then processed in a laboratory setting. The harvested tissue is separated from dermal cells and cultured in an incubator, allowing the epidermal cells, known as keratinocytes, to proliferate. These cells are provided with essential nutrients to facilitate their growth into sheets of skin suitable for grafting. Once the cultured epidermal tissue is ready, it is placed in a transport medium and returned to the medical facility where the grafting procedure will take place. During the procedure, the physician carefully removes the graft from the transport medium and positions it over the prepared wound bed at the recipient site. The graft is then secured in place using interrupted sutures around its edges, although alternative methods such as staples or fibrin sealant may also be employed. This specific code, 15150, is applicable for grafts measuring 25 square centimeters or less, while additional codes are available for larger graft sizes.
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The tissue cultured skin autograft procedure is indicated for patients who have sustained skin defects on the trunk, arms, or legs. These defects may arise from various conditions, including but not limited to:
The procedure for performing a tissue cultured skin autograft involves several critical steps, which are outlined as follows:
Following the tissue cultured skin autograft procedure, patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or graft failure. Post-procedure care may include instructions for wound care, pain management, and activity restrictions to promote healing. Patients may also be advised on how to care for the donor site to ensure proper healing and minimize scarring. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the graft's integration and healing progress, and any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan can be made during these visits.
| Short Descr | TIS CLTR SKN AGRFT T/A/L 1ST | Medium Descr | TISS CLTR SKIN AUTOGRAFT T/A/L 1ST 25 SQ CM/< | Long Descr | Tissue cultured skin autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 25 sq cm or less | 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.
| 15151 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Tissue cultured skin autograft, trunk, arms, legs; additional 1 sq cm to 75 sq cm (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. | 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.) | 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) | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2012-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
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