2025 CPT code 13120
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Complex repair of scalp, arms, and/or legs wound(s), 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm
Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 59 is used to distinguish distinct procedural services.Other modifiers may be necessary depending on the specific circumstances.
Medical necessity for complex repair is established when the wound involves deeper structures, significant contamination, extensive tissue damage, or requires specialized closure techniques to achieve proper healing and function.
The physician performs a complex, multilayered closure of the wound, which may include extensive undermining, stents, or retention sutures. Preparation might involve creating a defect for repair (e.g., scar excision) or debridement of complicated lacerations or avulsions.
In simple words: This procedure closes a complicated cut or wound on the scalp, arms, or legs that is between 1.1 and 2.5 centimeters long.The doctor will stitch together multiple layers of tissue beneath the skin, possibly including deeper structures. The repair may also involve cleaning the wound, removing damaged tissue, or repositioning skin.Sometimes, special stitches or techniques are needed to hold the skin together while it heals.
Complex repair of scalp, arms, and/or legs wound(s) measuring 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm.This includes layered closure of one or more of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial (non-muscle) fascia, in addition to skin (epidermal and dermal) closure.It also requires at least one of the following: exposure of bone, cartilage, tendon, or named neurovascular structure; debridement of wound edges; extensive undermining; involvement of free margins of helical rim, vermilion border, or nostril rim; or placement of retention sutures.Necessary preparation includes creation of a limited defect for repairs or the debridement of complicated lacerations or avulsions.
Example 1: A patient presents with a 2 cm jagged laceration on the forearm following a fall on broken glass. The wound is contaminated with dirt and debris. After thorough cleaning and debridement, the physician performs a complex repair involving layered closure and placement of retention sutures., A patient has a 1.5 cm deep laceration on the scalp that extends to the bone. The physician performs a complex repair, meticulously closing the wound in layers to ensure proper healing and minimize scarring., A patient with a previous scar on the arm undergoes scar revision. The physician excises the scar, creating a 2.2 cm defect.A complex repair is then performed, involving extensive undermining and layered closure to achieve optimal cosmetic results.
Documentation should include: cause and location of the wound, length of the repair, depth of the wound, description of any contamination or foreign bodies, type of repair performed (e.g., layered closure, undermining, retention sutures), and any associated procedures such as debridement.
- Revenue Code: P6A (MINOR PROCEDURES - SKIN)
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, and other places of service as appropriate.