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Official Description

Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 12006 refers to the simple repair of superficial wounds located on various parts of the body, including the scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk, and extremities, such as hands and feet. This procedure is specifically indicated for wounds that measure between 20.1 cm and 30.0 cm in length. A simple repair is characterized by its focus on superficial layers of the skin, which may include the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous tissue, without any involvement of deeper tissues. The procedure begins with the cleansing of the wound, followed by the administration of a local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort during the repair process. The wound is then carefully inspected to confirm its superficial nature and to assess for any signs of contamination. The closure of the wound is performed using a straightforward, one-layer technique, which may involve the use of sutures, staples, or tissue adhesive. These closure methods can be utilized individually or in combination, including the potential use of adhesive strips to enhance the repair. It is important to note that certain methods, such as chemical cautery, electrocautery, or the use of adhesive strips alone, do not qualify as a simple repair and should be reported as part of an evaluation and management service instead. For coding purposes, there are specific codes designated for various wound sizes, with CPT® Code 12006 being applicable for those wounds that fall within the specified length range of 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The simple repair of superficial wounds, as described by CPT® Code 12006, is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Superficial Wounds Wounds that are limited to the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous tissue without deeper tissue involvement.
  • Wound Size Wounds measuring between 20.1 cm and 30.0 cm in length.
  • Location Wounds located on the scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk, and/or extremities, including hands and feet.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the simple repair of superficial wounds involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Wound Cleansing The first step in the procedure is to thoroughly cleanse the wound to remove any debris, dirt, or contaminants. This is essential to reduce the risk of infection and to prepare the wound for repair.
  • Step 2: Anesthesia Administration Following the cleansing, a local anesthetic is administered to the patient. This step is crucial for ensuring that the patient remains comfortable and pain-free during the repair process.
  • Step 3: Wound Inspection After anesthesia, the wound is carefully inspected by the healthcare provider. This inspection is performed to confirm that the wound is indeed superficial and to assess its condition, ensuring that there is no involvement of deeper tissues or heavy contamination.
  • Step 4: Wound Closure Once the inspection is complete, the wound is closed using a simple, one-layer closure technique. This may involve the use of sutures, staples, or tissue adhesive. The choice of closure method may vary based on the specific characteristics of the wound and the provider's preference. It is important to note that these closure methods can be used individually or in combination, including the potential use of adhesive strips to support the repair.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, the patient may be given specific post-procedure care instructions to promote healing and prevent complications. This may include guidance on keeping the wound clean and dry, monitoring for signs of infection, and when to return for follow-up care. The expected recovery time will vary depending on the individual and the specific characteristics of the wound, but generally, patients can expect a straightforward healing process following a simple repair of a superficial wound.

Short Descr RPR S/N/A/GEN/TRK20.1-30.0CM
Medium Descr SMPL RPR SCALP/NECK/AX/GENIT/TRUNK 20.1-30.0CM
Long Descr Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 20.1 cm to 30.0 cm
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 T-Packaged Codes
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) P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 171 - Suture of skin and subcutaneous tissue
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).
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.
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.)
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
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)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
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
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2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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