© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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 require a more complex repair, a layered closure technique is employed. This may involve the use of sutures, staples, or tissue adhesive to secure the tissue layers effectively. To reduce tension on the wound, the surrounding tissues may be undermined using surgical instruments. Control of bleeding is achieved through chemical means or electrocautery. The closure process typically involves using absorbable sutures for the deeper layers, with the knots being buried to enhance cosmetic results. In some cases, permanent sutures may be utilized. The final step in the procedure focuses on the superficial layer, where careful alignment and eversion of the wound edges are crucial to prevent any depression of the scar, ensuring an aesthetically pleasing outcome.
© 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 for intermediate repair of wounds involves several critical steps to ensure effective closure and healing:
After the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Instructions for wound care are provided, which may include keeping the area clean and dry, avoiding strenuous activities, and monitoring for signs of infection. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing and remove any non-absorbable sutures if used. Patients are advised on signs of complications, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge, which should prompt immediate medical attention.
| Short Descr | INTMD RPR FACE/MM 20.1-30.0 | Medium Descr | REPAIR INTERMEDIATE F/E/E/N/L&/MUC 20.1-30.0CM | Long Descr | Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 20.1 cm to 30.0 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) | 0 - 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). | 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. | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Short Descriptor changed. |
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.