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Official Description

Debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia for necrotizing soft tissue infection; external genitalia and perineum

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 11004 refers to the procedure of debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and fascia specifically for necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) affecting the external genitalia and perineum. This procedure is critical in managing severe infections that lead to the death of tissue, which can occur rapidly and may pose significant health risks if not addressed promptly. The term 'debridement' involves the surgical removal of necrotic or infected tissue to promote healing and prevent the spread of infection. In cases of NSTI, such as Fournier's gangrene, the infection can rapidly progress, necessitating an aggressive approach to remove all nonviable tissue. The procedure begins with an incision in the skin to access the infected area, followed by a thorough exploration to assess the extent of tissue damage. The goal is to excise all necrotic tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible, which is essential for effective recovery and healing. Additionally, during the procedure, cultures are obtained to identify the causative organisms and determine appropriate antibiotic therapy. This code is distinct from others that address NSTI in different anatomical locations, such as the abdominal wall, which are coded separately under CPT® Codes 11005 and 11006.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 11004 is indicated for the treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) affecting the external genitalia and perineum. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection (NSTI) - A severe, rapidly progressing infection that leads to tissue death, particularly in the external genitalia and perineum.
  • Fournier's Gangrene - A specific type of NSTI that occurs in the perineal region, characterized by the rapid destruction of tissue and requiring urgent surgical intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 11004 involves several critical steps to ensure effective debridement of necrotic tissue:

  • Step 1: Incision - The procedure begins with a surgical incision made in the skin over the affected area. This incision allows access to the underlying tissues that may be involved in the necrotizing infection.
  • Step 2: Exploration - Once the incision is made, the surgeon explores the area to assess the extent of the necrotizing soft tissue infection. This exploration is crucial for determining how far the infection has spread into the subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle.
  • Step 3: Debridement - The next step involves the aggressive debridement of all necrotic tissue. The surgeon carefully removes all nonviable skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle, ensuring that the debridement extends beyond the visibly infected areas. The goal is to reach viable tissue, which is indicated by the presence of arterial bleeding.
  • Step 4: Preservation of Viable Tissue - Throughout the debridement process, the surgeon takes care to preserve as much viable skin and subcutaneous tissue as possible. This preservation is essential for promoting healing and minimizing the need for further surgical interventions.
  • Step 5: Culturing - After the debridement is completed, cultures are taken from the debrided tissue and sent to the laboratory. These cultures are vital for identifying the infectious organisms responsible for the NSTI and for conducting sensitivity testing to guide appropriate antibiotic therapy.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the debridement for CPT® Code 11004 involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection and ensuring proper wound care. Patients may require pain management and may be placed on antibiotics based on the results of the cultures obtained during the procedure. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess healing and to determine if further surgical intervention is necessary. The recovery process may vary depending on the extent of the infection and the amount of tissue debrided, and patients should be educated on signs of complications that may require immediate medical attention.

Short Descr DBRDMT SKIN XTRNL GENT&PER
Medium Descr DBRDMT SKN SBQ T/M/F NECRO INFCTJ XTRNL GENT&PER
Long Descr Debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia for necrotizing soft tissue infection; external genitalia and perineum
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6A - Minor procedures - skin
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 169 - Debridement of wound, infection or burn

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

11008 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Illustration for Code Removal of prosthetic material or mesh, abdominal wall for infection (eg, for chronic or recurrent mesh infection or necrotizing soft tissue infection) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2024-01-01 Changed Short and Medium Descriptions changed.
2005-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2005.
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