2025 CPT code 15734
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System - Flaps (Skin and/or Deep Tissues) Procedures Surgery Feed
Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; trunk.
Modifiers may be applicable in certain situations, such as when multiple procedures are performed (modifier 51) or when a distinct procedural service is provided (modifier 59). Consult the official CPT manual and local payer guidelines for appropriate modifier use.
Medical necessity for this procedure is determined by the presence of a wound or defect that is not amenable to other forms of closure or treatment and poses a risk of infection, significant functional impairment, or cosmetic deformity. Documentation should clearly demonstrate the size, depth, and location of the defect, and justify the selection of a flap procedure over alternative treatments.
The physician is responsible for the entire procedure, including pre-operative planning, flap harvesting, microvascular anastomosis (if applicable), flap placement, wound closure, and post-operative care.Anesthesiology may be involved, but the anesthesiologist's services are billed separately.
- Surgery
- Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System > Flaps (Skin and/or Deep Tissues) Procedures
In simple words: The doctor takes a piece of skin, muscle, and/or fat from the patient's torso and moves it to another part of the body to cover a wound or defect.They carefully connect the blood vessels to ensure the moved tissue survives.The donor site is then closed.
This CPT code describes the creation and placement of a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap taken from the trunk (the area between the neck and waist) to cover a defect elsewhere on the patient's body.The procedure involves preparing both the donor and recipient sites, excising the flap (which may consist of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fat, and muscle), connecting the flap's blood vessels to vessels at the recipient site (microvascular anastomosis), securing the flap with sutures, and closing the donor and recipient sites.The type of flap (muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous) will dictate the tissue components included.
Example 1: A patient sustains a large, deep wound on their abdomen due to a motor vehicle accident.A myocutaneous flap from the patient's back is harvested and transferred to the abdomen to cover the wound defect.Microvascular anastomosis is performed to restore blood supply. , A patient undergoes a mastectomy for breast cancer. A myocutaneous flap is harvested from the rectus abdominis muscle to reconstruct the breast mound and restore contour. , A patient has a pressure ulcer on their buttocks that has failed to heal.A fasciocutaneous flap from the buttock is raised and rotated to cover the ulcerated area.
Detailed operative report including type of flap (muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous), donor site location and size, recipient site location and size, description of microvascular anastomosis (if performed), suture type and number, postoperative care instructions, and any complications encountered.Preoperative imaging (if applicable) and photographs are essential.
** Bundling considerations: This code may be bundled with other procedures depending on the circumstances.Careful review of the documentation and payer guidelines is essential to determine appropriate coding.For example, unbundling may be warranted if performed in separate session from breast reconstruction.
- Revenue Code: P5A (AMBULATORY PROCEDURES - SKIN)
- RVU: The RVUs for this code vary based on geographic location and other factors. Consult a local fee schedule or claims processing system for precise values.
- Global Days: The global period for this procedure is not explicitly defined in the available information. Further clarification is required based on payer guidelines and local practices.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Technical component (TC) modifiers are not typically applicable to this code as it represents the entire procedure.
- Fee Schedule: Fee schedules vary greatly by geographic location and payer.Historical fee data can be found in publicly available sources like the CMS Physician Fee Schedule. However, it is crucial to consult current fee schedules for accurate reimbursement information.
- Specialties:Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Microsurgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center