2025 CPT code 15260
Effective Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System - Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Full-thickness skin graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, to nose, ears, eyelids, and/or lips; 20 sq cm or less.
Modifiers may be applicable. Examples of common modifiers are -22 (Increased procedural services) for unusually complex or time-consuming procedures, -59 (Distinct procedural service), -E1 - E4 (for specifying the eyelid operated upon), -LT (Left side), -RT (Right side).
Medical necessity for this procedure must be documented.It is typically used for defects that cannot be closed primarily or when a full-thickness graft is needed for optimal cosmetic or functional outcome. Reasons for needing a full-thickness graft must be clearly documented.
The physician is responsible for the entire procedure, including preparing the recipient site, harvesting the graft, transplanting the graft, and closing both the donor and recipient sites.They must ensure appropriate hemostasis and select the correct graft type and size for optimal healing and cosmetic outcome.
In simple words: This procedure involves transplanting a piece of full-thickness skin (all layers of skin) from one area of the body (donor site) to the nose, ears, eyelids, and/or lips (recipient site).The donor site is then stitched or otherwise closed. The transplanted skin piece is 20 square centimeters or less in size.
This code describes a procedure where a full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) is harvested and transplanted to the nose, ears, eyelids, and/or lips. The donor site is closed directly.The graft size is 20 sq cm or less.FTSGs include the entire thickness of the dermis and are used for reconstructive purposes. The procedure includes preparing the recipient site, harvesting the graft, placing and securing the graft, and closing both the donor and recipient sites.
Example 1: A patient has a 2 cm x 1 cm full-thickness laceration on their nose requiring a skin graft., A patient undergoes removal of a small basal cell carcinoma on their eyelid, necessitating a full-thickness skin graft of 15 sq cm for closure., A patient with a burn on their lip requires a 10 sq cm full-thickness skin graft for reconstruction.
Documentation should include the location and size (in sq cm) of the recipient site, the location and size of the donor site, the type of graft used (full-thickness), the method of donor site closure, and any complications encountered.
- Revenue Code: P5A (Ambulatory Procedures - Skin)
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Facial Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology,General Surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient, Office