2025 CPT code 13160
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Secondary closure of surgical wound or dehiscence, extensive or complicated.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of the procedure. For example, modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) could be used if multiple procedures are performed.Consult the CPT manual and payer-specific guidelines.
Medical necessity for code 13160 is established by the presence of a significant surgical wound requiring extensive debridement and complex closure due to factors such as infection, contamination, dehiscence, or traumatic injury. Documentation must support the complexity of the wound and the necessity for the procedure.
The physician's role involves debridement (removal of dead or damaged tissue), assessment of wound complexity, closure of the wound (potentially including layered closure techniques), and application of dressings and antibiotics.This may also include managing any complications associated with the wound.
In simple words: This procedure is for closing a previously opened or separated surgical wound that is large or difficult to repair.The doctor will clean the wound, remove any dead tissue, and then carefully stitch it closed. Antibiotics and a dressing will also be applied.
This code reports the secondary closure of a surgical wound or dehiscence that is extensive or complicated.It involves debridement of granulating or dehisced tissue, and may require complex closure due to tissue loss. The procedure includes wound closure and application of antibiotics and dressings.This does not include the initial opening or primary closure of the wound.This code should not be used with 11960.
Example 1: A patient presents with a dehisced abdominal wound following prior surgery. The wound is extensively contaminated, requiring significant debridement and complex closure involving multiple tissue layers and retention sutures. Code 13160 is used to report the secondary closure procedure., A patient has a large, complicated leg wound resulting from a traumatic injury. The wound has been left open for several days to allow for healing and infection control.Extensive debridement is necessary prior to the secondary closure. Code 13160 is appropriate for the secondary closure., A patient experiences wound dehiscence after a breast reduction. The wound is significant in size and depth and involves multiple tissue layers that require substantial repair. Extensive debridement is performed before secondary closure.Code 13160 is used.
** Always cross-reference with current CPT and payer guidelines to ensure proper coding and reimbursement.Accurate documentation is crucial for justifying the medical necessity of this procedure.
- Revenue Code: P6A (MINOR PROCEDURES - SKIN)
- RVU: Information not available in provided text.Refer to current fee schedules for relative value units and reimbursement information.
- Global Days: Information not available in provided text. Global surgical periods vary based on payer and specific procedure details.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to this code.TC modifiers apply to procedures with separate professional and technical components, which is not the case here.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided text.Refer to historical CPT fee schedules for relevant data.
- Specialties:General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Trauma Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center