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Official Description

Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (eg, laser technique); less than 10 sq cm

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions are abnormal growths of blood vessels in the skin, which can manifest in various forms, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, and telangiectasias. These lesions often require treatment to reduce their appearance or alleviate associated symptoms. The procedure for treating these lesions typically involves a technique known as selective photothermolysis, which targets the oxyhemoglobin in the blood vessels. This is achieved using specific types of lasers, such as a flash lamp pumped pulsed-dye laser, argon-pumped tunable dye laser, or other laser types like copper vapor, copper bromide, or krypton lasers. During the procedure, the laser is calibrated to emit light at a precise wavelength, pulse duration, and pulse energy that is optimal for the specific characteristics of the target lesion. Once the laser is activated, it is directed at the lesion to effectively treat it. Patients may need to undergo multiple sessions to attain the desired cosmetic results. The CPT® Code 17106 is specifically designated for the destruction of these lesions when they are less than 10 square centimeters in size, while other codes are available for larger lesions.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions is indicated for various conditions that affect the skin's appearance and can cause psychological distress or functional impairment. The following are specific indications for this procedure:

  • Port Wine Stain A congenital vascular malformation characterized by a flat, pink, red, or purple mark on the skin, which can darken over time.
  • Hemangioma A benign tumor made up of blood vessels that often appears as a red or purple raised lesion on the skin, commonly seen in infants.
  • Telangiectasia Small, dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin, which can appear as red or blue lines and are often associated with conditions like rosacea.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions involves several key steps that ensure effective treatment. Each step is crucial for achieving optimal results while minimizing discomfort and complications.

  • Step 1: Preparation The treatment area is first cleaned and prepared to ensure that the skin is free from any contaminants. This may involve the application of a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Laser Calibration The laser device is calibrated to the appropriate settings based on the specific characteristics of the lesion being treated. This includes selecting the correct wavelength, pulse duration, and pulse energy to effectively target the oxyhemoglobin in the blood vessels of the lesion.
  • Step 3: Laser Application Once the laser is properly set up, the practitioner activates the laser and directs it at the lesion. The laser emits pulses of light that are absorbed by the blood vessels, leading to their destruction while sparing the surrounding tissue.
  • Step 4: Post-Treatment Care After the laser treatment, the area may be cooled or treated with a soothing ointment to reduce any potential irritation. The practitioner will provide instructions for post-procedure care, which may include avoiding sun exposure and applying specific topical treatments as needed.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the procedure, patients can expect some degree of redness, swelling, or discomfort in the treated area, which typically resolves within a few days. It is essential for patients to follow the post-procedure care instructions provided by their healthcare provider to promote healing and minimize the risk of complications. Patients may need to schedule follow-up appointments to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and determine if additional sessions are necessary to achieve the desired cosmetic outcome. It is also important to monitor the treated area for any signs of infection or unusual changes, and to report these to a healthcare professional promptly.

Short Descr DESTRUCTION OF SKIN LESIONS
Medium Descr DESTRUCTION CUTANEOUS VASC PROLIFERATIVE <10CM
Long Descr Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (eg, laser technique); less than 10 sq cm
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 Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 170 - Excision of skin lesion
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.)
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.
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).
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).
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 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.)
AG Primary physician
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
CS Cost-sharing waived for specified covid-19 testing-related services that result in and order for or administration of a covid-19 test and/or used for cost-sharing waived preventive services furnished via telehealth in rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers during the covid-19 public health emergency
E1 Upper left, eyelid
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
1991-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1991.
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