CPT® Code 15130

Dermal autografts are specialized surgical procedures that involve the transplantation of skin tissue, specifically the dermis, from one area of the body to another. This technique is commonly utilized in the treatment of wounds, burns, or other skin defects where the dermal layer is required to promote healing and restore skin integrity. The donor sites for these grafts typically include areas such as the thigh, buttocks, abdominal wall, or scalp, where sufficient skin can be harvested without compromising the donor's overall health. During the procedure, local anesthetic and epinephrine are administered to the subcutaneous tissue at the donor site to minimize discomfort and control bleeding. The use of a dermatome, a specialized surgical instrument, allows for precise harvesting of the dermal layer. The oscillating blade of the dermatome is adjusted to the appropriate depth to create a split-thickness skin graft, which is raised but not fully harvested from the dermal bed. A second pass with the dermatome is then performed to obtain the necessary dermal graft. Once prepared, the dermal graft is carefully placed over the wound bed at the recipient site and secured using sutures, staples, or fibrin sealant. The split-thickness graft that was initially raised is then applied back to the donor site to aid in its healing. This procedure is coded as CPT® Code 15130 for the first 100 square centimeters or less in adults, or for 1% of total body surface area in infants and children, with additional grafts coded under CPT® Code 15131.