CPT® Code 15920

The procedure described by CPT® Code 15920 involves the excision of a coccygeal pressure ulcer, which is commonly known as a pressure sore, bedsore, or decubitus ulcer. This type of ulcer occurs on the coccyx, the triangular bone located at the base of the spine, formed by the fusion of four coccygeal vertebrae. The procedure is performed with the patient in a prone position, allowing the physician to access the affected area effectively. An elliptical incision is made around the pressure ulcer to excise the damaged tissue. Following the excision, the coccyx is exposed, and a finger is utilized to elevate its tip. The physician then carefully dissects the coccyx from the surrounding tissue up to the sacrum, severing it at the sacrococcygeal joint for complete removal. Any rough edges of the bony surfaces are smoothed to promote healing. The wound created during this procedure is then closed in layers using primary suture repair, ensuring proper alignment and healing of the tissue. This procedure is critical for patients suffering from severe pressure ulcers that do not respond to conservative treatments, as it addresses both the ulcer and the underlying anatomical structure contributing to the condition.