2025 CPT code 12034
Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Feed
Intermediate repair of wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm
Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 59 may be used to indicate a distinct procedural service when multiple repairs of different complexities are performed.Other modifiers may be necessary to indicate specific circumstances, such as increased procedural services (modifier 22).
Medical necessity for intermediate wound repair is established when the wound involves deeper layers of tissue beyond the skin, requiring layered closure to promote proper healing and minimize scarring or complications.
The physician is responsible for obtaining informed consent, preparing the surgical site, administering local anesthesia, irrigating and debriding the wound, and performing the layered closure using appropriate suturing techniques.This includes closing the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia, as well as the skin.
In simple words: This code is for fixing a moderately deep cut or wound on your scalp, armpit, torso, arms, or legs (but not hands or feet) that is between 7.6 and 12.5 centimeters long.It means the doctor had to stitch together several layers of tissue beneath the skin.
This code describes the intermediate repair of wounds located on the scalp, axillae, trunk, and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet) that measure between 7.6 cm and 12.5 cm in length.Intermediate repair involves layered closure of one or more of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial (non-muscle) fascia, in addition to skin closure.It may also include limited undermining, or single-layer closure of heavily contaminated wounds requiring extensive cleaning.
Example 1: A patient presents with a 9 cm laceration on their thigh following a bicycle accident. The wound is cleaned and closed in layers, involving the subcutaneous tissue and fascia, qualifying for code 12034., A patient has an infected wound on their scalp measuring 8 cm.The physician performs extensive cleaning and debridement to remove infected tissue before closing the wound in a single layer.Due to the extensive cleaning, this is coded as an intermediate repair (12034)., A patient has multiple lacerations on their trunk following a fall. One laceration on the back measures 5 cm and requires simple closure. Another laceration on the abdomen measures 8.5 cm and requires layered closure.The 8.5 cm laceration is coded as 12034, and the 5 cm laceration is coded separately with a simple repair code, with modifier 59.
Documentation should include the location of the wound(s), length in centimeters, depth of the wound, type of repair (layered or single-layer), any debridement performed (including extent and type of tissue removed), type of closure material used, and any complications encountered.
- Specialties:General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital Inpatient, Hospital Outpatient, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Emergency Room - Hospital