2025 CPT code 13121
(unknown) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Repair (Closure) Surgery/Integumentary System Feed
Complex repair of scalp, arms, and/or legs wounds measuring 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm.
Modifiers may be applicable. For example, modifier 59 may be used to indicate a distinct procedural service if multiple types of wound repairs are performed.
Medical necessity for complex repair is based on the depth and complexity of the wound, the presence of contamination or devitalized tissue, and the need to restore function and achieve optimal cosmetic outcomes.
The physician performs the complex wound repair, including assessment, anesthesia, wound preparation (cleaning, debridement, undermining), layered closure, and placement of any necessary retention sutures.
In simple words: This procedure fixes a complicated cut on the scalp, arms, or legs that is between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters long.It involves carefully cleaning the wound, closing it in layers, and might include fixing deeper tissues like tendons or removing damaged tissue.
This code describes a complex repair of wounds located on the scalp, arms, or legs, ranging in length from 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm.Complex repair involves layered closure of deeper subcutaneous tissues, superficial fascia, and skin.It may also include exposure of underlying structures (bone, cartilage, tendon, or neurovascular structures), debridement, extensive undermining, or placement of retention sutures.This code does not include excision of lesions or debridement of open fractures/dislocations.
Example 1: A patient presents with a 5 cm laceration on the scalp that extends through the galea aponeurotica, requiring layered closure and placement of retention sutures., A patient sustains a 3.5 cm degloving injury to the forearm, exposing underlying tendons and requiring extensive debridement and complex closure., A patient has a 7 cm laceration on the leg with significant contamination, requiring thorough cleaning, debridement of devitalized tissue, and complex, layered closure.
Documentation should include the location, size, and depth of the wound, the complexity of the repair (e.g., layered closure, debridement, undermining, exposure of underlying structures), and any associated injuries. The use of retention sutures should also be noted.
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center, Emergency Room - Hospital