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A tissue cultured skin autograft is a specialized surgical procedure utilized to cover skin defects located on the trunk, arms, or legs. This technique involves the harvesting of epidermal tissue from the patient, which is then processed in a laboratory setting. The harvested tissue undergoes a meticulous procedure where it is separated from dermal cells and cultured in an incubator. The primary cells involved in this process are keratinocytes, which are the predominant cell type in the epidermis. These cells are provided with essential nutrients to promote their growth into sheets of skin suitable for grafting. Once the cultured epidermal cells have developed into a viable graft, they are placed in a transport medium and returned to the healthcare facility where the grafting procedure will take place. During the grafting procedure, the physician carefully removes the graft from the transport medium and positions it over the prepared wound bed at the recipient site. To ensure proper adherence and stability of the graft, it is secured using interrupted sutures placed around the edges. Alternatively, other fixation methods such as staples or fibrin sealant may be employed. This procedure is categorized under specific CPT® codes based on the size of the graft, with 15150 applicable for grafts measuring 25 square centimeters or less, 15151 for an additional 1 square centimeter to 75 square centimeters, and 15152 for each additional 100 square centimeters in adults or 1% of total body surface area (TBSA) in infants and children, or part thereof.
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The tissue cultured skin autograft procedure is indicated for various conditions that result in skin defects on the trunk, arms, or legs. These indications may include:
The tissue cultured skin autograft procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful grafting. The first step is the harvesting of epidermal tissue from the patient, which is typically done in a separate procedure. This harvested tissue is then sent to a specialized laboratory where it undergoes processing. In the lab, the epidermal cells are separated from the dermal cells and cultured in an incubator. The keratinocytes are provided with nutrients to promote their growth into sheets of skin. Once the graft has developed adequately, it is placed in a transport medium for safe handling. Upon return to the healthcare facility, the physician prepares the recipient site by ensuring the wound bed is clean and ready for graft placement. The physician then carefully removes the graft from the transport medium and positions it over the prepared wound bed. To secure the graft in place, interrupted sutures are placed around the periphery of the graft. Alternatively, the physician may opt to use staples or fibrin sealant to ensure the graft adheres properly to the wound bed.
After the tissue cultured skin autograft procedure, the patient will require specific post-procedure care to promote healing and ensure the graft remains secure. This may include monitoring the graft site for signs of infection, ensuring proper wound care, and following up with the healthcare provider for assessments of graft viability. Patients may also be advised on activity restrictions to prevent stress on the grafted area. The expected recovery time can vary based on the size of the graft and the individual patient's healing response. Regular follow-up appointments will be necessary to evaluate the healing process and address any complications that may arise.
| Short Descr | TIS CLTR SKN AGRFT T/A/L ADD | Medium Descr | TISS CLTR SKIN AUTOGRAFT T/A/L ADDL 1-75 SQCM | Long Descr | Tissue cultured skin autograft, trunk, arms, legs; additional 1 sq cm to 75 sq cm (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 172 - Skin graft |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 15150 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC T ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Tissue cultured skin autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 25 sq cm or less | 15152 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Tissue cultured skin 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) |
| 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. | 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) | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2012-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
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