CPT® Code 15922

The procedure described by CPT® Code 15922 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 small 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 the physician carefully dissects it free from the surrounding tissue, elevating the tip of the coccyx with a finger. The coccyx is then severed at the sacrococcygeal joint and completely removed. To ensure proper healing and closure of the wound, any rough bony surfaces are smoothed out. Unlike the procedure described in CPT® Code 15920, which utilizes primary suture repair for wound closure, CPT® Code 15922 employs a local skin flap technique. This involves incising the skin adjacent to the wound down to the level of subcutaneous fat, mobilizing the skin, and then rotating or advancing the skin flap to cover the excised area. The skin flap is sutured in place, and the donor site is also repaired with sutures, ensuring a comprehensive approach to wound closure and recovery.