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Official Description

Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, perianal, perineal, or umbilical; with simple or intermediate repair

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 11470 refers to the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue specifically for the treatment of hidradenitis located in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical regions. Hidradenitis is a chronic dermatological condition that manifests as swollen, painful, and inflamed lesions affecting the cutaneous apocrine glands, which are responsible for sweat production. This condition can lead to significant discomfort and may also involve the surrounding subcutaneous tissue and fascia. In cases of suppurative hidradenitis, the presence of draining sinus tracts, also known as fistulas, is common in the affected areas. Surgical intervention is primarily indicated for suppurative hidradenitis, where the excision involves removing the skin and subcutaneous tissue that overlies the apocrine glands. The procedure may necessitate the removal of any exposed fistulous tracts to ensure complete treatment of the condition. In instances of severe suppurative hidradenitis, extensive excision of all involved skin and subcutaneous tissue may be required to adequately address the issue. Following the excision, the wound can be closed using a simple single-layer repair or an intermediate repair, which may involve deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia. In contrast, more complex cases may require a complex repair, which involves extensive undermining, stents, or retention sutures, and may also necessitate the use of a separately reportable skin graft or flap to effectively close the surgical wound.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 11470 is indicated for the treatment of hidradenitis in specific anatomical regions. The following conditions warrant this surgical intervention:

  • Hidradenitis Suppurativa - A chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful, swollen lesions and abscesses in the apocrine gland areas, particularly in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical regions.
  • Presence of Fistulas - The occurrence of draining sinus tracts or fistulas in the affected areas, which may complicate the condition and require surgical excision for resolution.
  • Severe Cases - Instances of severe suppurative hidradenitis that necessitate extensive removal of skin and subcutaneous tissue to alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 11470 involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of hidradenitis. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation - The patient is positioned appropriately, and the surgical site is prepared through cleansing and draping to maintain a sterile environment. Anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Excision of Affected Tissue - The surgeon carefully excises the skin and subcutaneous tissue overlying the apocrine glands in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical region. This step involves removing all affected tissue, including any inflamed lesions and surrounding subcutaneous tissue, to address the hidradenitis effectively.
  • Step 3: Identification and Removal of Fistulous Tracts - If present, any draining sinus tracts or fistulas are identified and excised. This is crucial to prevent recurrence of the condition and to promote proper healing.
  • Step 4: Wound Closure - After the excision, the surgical site is closed. Depending on the extent of the excision, the closure may involve a simple single-layer repair or an intermediate repair that includes deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia. In more complex cases, a complex repair may be necessary, which could involve techniques such as extensive undermining, stents, or retention sutures.
  • Step 5: Post-Operative Care - The surgical site is dressed appropriately, and post-operative care instructions are provided to the patient to ensure proper healing and to monitor for any signs of complications.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis is essential for optimal recovery. Patients are typically advised to keep the surgical site clean and dry, and to follow any specific wound care instructions provided by the healthcare provider. Monitoring for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge, is crucial. Pain management may be necessary, and patients may be prescribed analgesics as needed. Follow-up appointments are important to assess healing and to determine if further treatment or intervention is required. In cases where a complex repair or skin graft is performed, additional considerations for wound care and monitoring may be necessary to ensure successful healing and to minimize complications.

Short Descr EXC SKN H/P/P/U SMPL/NTRM
Medium Descr EXCISION H/P/P/U SIMPLE/INTERMEDIATE REPAIR
Long Descr Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, perianal, perineal, or umbilical; with simple or intermediate repair
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6A - Minor procedures - skin
MUE 3
CCS Clinical Classification 170 - Excision of skin lesion
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).
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.
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.
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.)
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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
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Action
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2024-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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