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Official Description

Grafting of autologous soft tissue, other, harvested by direct excision (eg, fat, dermis, fascia)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 15769 refers to the procedure of grafting autologous soft tissue, which involves the harvesting of tissue from the patient's own body through direct excision. This procedure is particularly relevant for various types of soft tissue, including fat, dermis, fascia, or other soft tissues that do not have a specific code assigned. The grafting process is typically performed during the same operative session in which the tissue is harvested, ensuring that the graft is fresh and viable for transplantation. The primary purpose of this procedure is to address reconstructive or aesthetic needs, such as correcting volume loss or contour deformities that may arise from conditions like disease, trauma, tumor removal, or congenital defects. The graft itself is composed of multiple layers, including epidermis, dermis, and fat, and may also include cartilage, depending on the specific type of graft being utilized. The meticulous process of grafting involves careful planning, including measuring and marking the donor site, excising the graft, and preparing it for placement at the recipient site, where it is secured in place before closing the incision. This procedure is essential for restoring the natural appearance and function of the affected area.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 15769 is indicated for various conditions that necessitate the use of autologous soft tissue grafts. These indications include:

  • Volume Loss - Situations where there is a deficiency in soft tissue volume due to trauma, disease, or surgical excision.
  • Contour Deformities - Corrective measures for deformities in body contour resulting from congenital defects or other medical conditions.
  • Reconstructive Needs - Restoration of tissue integrity and appearance following tumor extirpation or other surgical interventions.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 15769 involves several critical steps to ensure successful grafting of the autologous soft tissue. These steps include:

  • Step 1: Planning and Marking - The surgeon begins by assessing the defect that requires grafting. The size and configuration of the graft are determined, and the donor site is marked accordingly to ensure that the harvested tissue will adequately cover the recipient area.
  • Step 2: Harvesting the Graft - The selected area for graft harvesting is then prepared, and the graft is excised using direct excision techniques. This may involve the use of mattress sutures to hold the tissue layers in place during the excision process.
  • Step 3: Preparing the Recipient Site - After the graft is harvested, the surgeon makes incision(s) in the area where the graft will be placed. This preparation is crucial for ensuring that the graft fits properly into the defect.
  • Step 4: Securing the Graft - The harvested soft tissue is fashioned to fit the specific contour of the defect and is then secured in place using sutures or other fixation methods. This step is vital for ensuring the graft adheres properly and integrates with the surrounding tissue.
  • Step 5: Closing the Donor Site - Finally, the donor site is closed with primary suture closure, ensuring that the area heals appropriately and minimizes scarring.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing the grafting of autologous soft tissue involves monitoring the graft site for signs of healing and potential complications. Patients are typically advised on wound care to prevent infection and promote optimal healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the integration of the graft and the overall recovery process. Depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient's healing response, additional interventions or therapies may be recommended to support recovery and enhance aesthetic outcomes.

Short Descr GRFG AUTOL SOFT TISS DIR EXC
Medium Descr GRAFTING OF AUTOLOGOUS SOFT TISS BY DIRECT EXC
Long Descr Grafting of autologous soft tissue, other, harvested by direct excision (eg, fat, dermis, fascia)
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 Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 1
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).
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.)
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
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.
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
E4 Lower right, eyelid
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
F6 Right hand, second digit
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
TA Left foot, great toe
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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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2020-01-01 Added Code added.
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