CPT® Code 15771

Grafting of autologous fat harvested by liposuction technique to trunk, breasts, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 50 cc or less injectate

Autologous fat grafting, also known as fat transfer, is a surgical procedure that involves the harvesting of adipose tissue from one area of the body and its subsequent injection into another area to restore volume or improve contour. This technique is commonly utilized for both reconstructive and aesthetic purposes, addressing issues such as volume loss or contour deformities that may arise from various factors including disease, trauma, tumor removal, congenital defects, and the natural aging process. The procedure begins with the collection of fat through liposuction, which is a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions to access the fat deposits. The harvested fat is then processed to prepare it for injection. During the injection phase, small cannulas are used to deliver the fat into the targeted areas, ensuring that it is distributed evenly and at varying depths to optimize the survival of the transplanted adipocytes. The specific code for this procedure, CPT® Code 15771, is designated for the grafting of 50 cc or less of autologous fat to areas such as the trunk, breasts, scalp, arms, and/or legs. For procedures involving additional volumes of fat, CPT® Code 15772 is utilized to report each additional 50 cc or part thereof.