CPT® Code 15341

Deleted

Tissue cultured allogeneic skin substitute; each additional 25 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

A tissue cultured allogeneic skin substitute is a specialized medical product used to cover wounds or skin defects. This substitute is designed to promote healing by providing a temporary biological covering that mimics the structure and function of natural skin. The substitute consists of two distinct layers: the upper layer is made up of living human skin cells, specifically cultured from human keratinocytes, which are responsible for forming the epidermal layer of the skin. The lower layer is composed of human dermal fibroblasts, which are also cultured from the same donor, and these fibroblasts are combined with structural proteins, such as collagen, sourced from animals, typically bovine (cow). The application of this skin substitute involves measuring the size of the wound to determine the appropriate amount of tissue cultured allogeneic skin substitute needed. The substitute is fenestrated, meaning that a series of holes or openings are created in it to facilitate fluid drainage and promote integration with the surrounding tissue. Once prepared, the fenestrated skin substitute is applied to the wound bed and secured in place using sutures. To protect the area and support healing, a layered dressing is then applied, which includes a nonadherent layer to prevent sticking to the wound, a bulky layer of gauze for absorption, a compression layer to reduce swelling, and an anti-shear layer to minimize friction. For billing purposes, CPT® Code 15340 is used for the first 25 square centimeters or less of the skin substitute, while CPT® Code 15341 is designated for each additional 25 square centimeters or part thereof.