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Official Description

Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (eg, laser technique); 10.0 to 50.0 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 and associated symptoms. The procedure for treating these lesions involves a technique known as selective photothermolysis, which specifically targets the oxyhemoglobin in the blood vessels. This is typically achieved using a yellow light laser, such as a flash lamp pumped pulsed-dye laser, argon-pumped tunable dye laser, or other types of lasers like copper vapor, copper bromide, or krypton lasers. During the procedure, the laser is calibrated to the appropriate wavelength, pulse duration, and pulse energy to effectively treat the targeted lesion. The activation of the laser allows for the precise destruction of the vascular lesion while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue. Patients may need to undergo multiple sessions of laser treatment to attain optimal results. For coding purposes, CPT® Code 17107 is specifically designated for the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions that measure between 10.0 to 50.0 square centimeters in size, while other codes are available for lesions of different sizes.

© 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, often appearing as a red or purple raised lesion on the skin, which may require treatment if it interferes with function or aesthetics.
  • Telangiectasia Small, dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin, often resulting in a spider-like appearance, which can be treated for cosmetic reasons.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions involves several key steps, each critical to ensuring effective treatment and patient safety.

  • Step 1: Patient Assessment Prior to the procedure, a thorough assessment of the patient's medical history and the specific characteristics of the lesion is conducted. This includes evaluating the size, location, and type of vascular lesion to determine the appropriate treatment plan.
  • Step 2: Preparation The treatment area is cleaned and may be numbed using a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the procedure. The patient is informed about the procedure, including potential risks and expected outcomes.
  • Step 3: Laser Calibration The laser device is calibrated to the specific parameters required for the lesion being treated. This includes setting the appropriate wavelength, pulse duration, and pulse energy to effectively target the oxyhemoglobin in the lesion while protecting surrounding tissues.
  • Step 4: Laser Application The laser is activated and directed at the lesion. The energy from the laser is absorbed by the oxyhemoglobin, leading to the destruction of the abnormal blood vessels within the lesion. The procedure is monitored closely to ensure optimal results.
  • Step 5: Post-Treatment Care After the laser application, the treated area may be cooled and a protective dressing applied if necessary. The patient is given instructions on post-procedure care, including how to manage any discomfort and signs of complications.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the procedure, patients may experience some redness, swelling, or discomfort in the treated area, which is typically mild and resolves within a few days. It is important for patients to follow the post-procedure care instructions provided by their healthcare provider, which may include avoiding sun exposure, applying topical ointments, and monitoring for any signs of infection or unusual changes in the treated area. Multiple treatment sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired cosmetic results, and follow-up appointments will be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and make any necessary adjustments to the care plan.

Short Descr DESTRUCTION OF SKIN LESIONS
Medium Descr DSTRJ CUTANEOUS VASCULAR LESIONS 10.0-50.0 SQ CM
Long Descr Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (eg, laser technique); 10.0 to 50.0 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
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.)
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.
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.
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).
57 Decision for surgery: an evaluation and management service that resulted in the initial decision to perform the surgery may be identified by adding modifier 57 to the appropriate level of 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
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Date
Action
Notes
2003-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
1991-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1991.
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