CPT® Code 15131

Add-On Code

Dermal autograft, trunk, arms, legs; each additional 100 sq cm, or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

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 extensive skin loss due to trauma, burns, or surgical excisions. 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 function or appearance of the donor area. During the procedure, local anesthetic and epinephrine are administered to the subcutaneous tissue at the donor site to minimize pain and control bleeding. The use of a dermatome, a surgical instrument designed for cutting skin, allows for precise harvesting of the dermal layer. The depth of the blade is carefully adjusted to ensure that only the dermis is collected, while a split-thickness skin graft is raised but not fully harvested from the dermal bed. This technique ensures that the donor site can heal effectively while providing the necessary tissue for the recipient site. Once the dermal graft is prepared, it is meticulously placed over the wound bed of the recipient site and secured using sutures, staples, or fibrin sealant. The split-thickness graft that was raised but not harvested is then applied to the donor site to promote healing. The coding for this procedure is specific, with CPT® Code 15130 used for the first 100 square centimeters or less in adults, or for 1% of total body surface area in infants and children, and CPT® Code 15131 designated for each additional 100 square centimeters in adults or each additional 1% of total body surface area in infants and children, or part thereof.