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Intermediate repair of wounds located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes involves a detailed and methodical approach to ensure proper healing and aesthetic outcomes. This procedure is indicated when the wound extends into deeper layers, such as the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia, or when extensive cleaning is necessary due to contamination. The process begins with the cleansing of the wound and the administration of a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the procedure. Following this, the wound is carefully inspected to assess its depth and the extent of any contamination. If the wound is found to be heavily contaminated, additional cleaning and removal of debris may be required. The closure of the wound is performed in layers, utilizing sutures, staples, or tissue adhesive, which helps to align the edges of the wound properly. To reduce tension on the wound during healing, tissues may be undermined using surgical instruments. Control of bleeding is achieved through chemical means or electrocautery. The deepest layers of the wound are typically closed with absorbable sutures, with the knots buried to prevent irritation. In some cases, permanent sutures may be employed. The final step involves closing the superficial layer of the wound, ensuring that the edges are aligned and everted to minimize the risk of scarring. This procedure is specifically coded as CPT® 12055 for wounds measuring between 12.6 cm and 20.0 cm, with other codes available for different wound sizes.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The intermediate repair of wounds of the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure begins with the cleansing of the wound to remove any debris and contaminants. Following this, a local anesthetic is administered to ensure the patient experiences minimal discomfort during the repair process. Once the area is adequately anesthetized, the wound is thoroughly inspected to determine its depth and the extent of any contamination. If the wound is heavily contaminated, additional cleaning may be necessary to ensure that all particulate matter is removed. After the inspection, a layered closure is performed. This involves undermining the tissues using surgical scissors or a scalpel to reduce tension on the wound edges, which is crucial for optimal healing. Bleeding is controlled using chemical agents or electrocautery to minimize blood loss during the procedure. The deepest layers of the wound are then closed with absorbable sutures, with the knots buried to prevent irritation to the surrounding tissue. In some cases, permanent sutures may be utilized instead. Finally, the superficial layer of the wound is closed, ensuring that the edges are aligned and everted. This careful alignment is essential to prevent the formation of a depressed scar, which can occur if the edges are not properly positioned.
After the procedure, patients are typically advised on wound care to promote healing and prevent infection. This may include instructions on keeping the area clean and dry, as well as guidelines for any follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process. Patients should be informed about signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge, and advised to seek medical attention if these occur. The expected recovery time may vary depending on the individual and the extent of the wound, but proper care and adherence to post-procedure instructions are crucial for optimal outcomes.
| Short Descr | INTMD RPR FACE/MM 12.6-20 CM | Medium Descr | REPAIR INTERMEDIATE F/E/E/N/L&/MUC 12.6-20.0CM | Long Descr | Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 12.6 cm to 20.0 cm | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 010 - 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 | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | 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 | 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). | 54 | Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number. | 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.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CG | Policy criteria applied | 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 | 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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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Short Descriptor changed. |
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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