2025 CPT code 13151
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Wound Repair Surgery Feed
Complex repair of wounds to eyelids, nose, ears, and/or lips; 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm.
Modifiers 22 (increased procedural services), 52 (reduced services), and 59 (distinct procedural service) may apply in certain circumstances.Always use modifiers as per guidelines.
Medical necessity is established by the need for surgical repair of a laceration. Documentation must support the complexity of the repair and the choice of code.Factors such as wound depth, location, involvement of critical structures (e.g., eyelid margin), and risk of complications should be documented.
The physician's responsibility includes assessment, wound preparation (including debridement if needed), precise closure technique appropriate to the complexity of the wound, and post-operative care instructions. This may include use of specialized sutures or techniques.The clinical judgment required necessitates appropriate training and experience in wound repair.
In simple words: This code covers fixing complex cuts or tears on the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips that need more than a simple stitch. The cut needs to be between 1.1 and 2.5 centimeters long. This type of repair might need extra steps like cleaning a lot of damaged tissue or using special stitches.
This CPT code encompasses the complex repair of wounds affecting the eyelids, nose, ears, and/or lips, with a total repaired length or diameter ranging from 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm.The procedure necessitates more than simple layered closure and may involve extensive undermining, debridement, the use of stents, or retention sutures. Preparation might include creating a limited defect for repair or debriding complicated lacerations or avulsions.Excision of benign or malignant lesions, excisional wound bed preparation, or debridement of open fractures or dislocations are not included.
Example 1: A patient presents with a 2cm laceration to the lower eyelid caused by a dog bite. The wound is extensively undermined and requires careful closure to preserve eyelid function. Code 13151 is appropriate., A child sustains a complex laceration of the nose during a fall, requiring debridement of devitalized tissue and meticulous layered closure. The total length of the repair is 1.8 cm. Code 13151 is appropriate., An adult sustains a stellate laceration to the lip during a motor vehicle accident. The wound requires extensive undermining and retention sutures for proper alignment. Total repaired length is 2.2cm. Code 13151 is appropriate.
Detailed operative report including wound length, description of the wound, tissues involved, methods of repair (sutures, staples, adhesives), undermining extent, debridement performed, and use of any stents or retention sutures.Photographs may be helpful.Also important is documenting the patient's pre-operative and post-operative status.
** Accurate wound measurement is essential for correct code selection.Understanding the nuances between simple, intermediate, and complex repairs is vital for accurate coding.Always consult the most up-to-date CPT manual and payer guidelines for the most accurate and current information.
- Revenue Code: P6A (Minor Procedures - Skin)
- RVU: This information is not provided and varies based on payer, location, and other factors.Consult current fee schedules and RVU databases for specific values.
- Global Days: The global period is not specified for this code.Consult payer guidelines.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A Technical Component (TC) modifier is not typically applicable to this code as it represents the entire service.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule data is not available in the provided context.Consult historical CPT fee schedules for relevant information.
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Inpatient, Hospital Outpatient