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Official Description

Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, trunk; defect 10.1 sq cm to 30.0 sq cm

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement is a surgical procedure aimed at addressing defects located on the trunk of the body. These defects can arise from various causes, including traumatic wounds, lacerations, or surgical excisions of lesions or scars. In cases where a lesion or scar is present, the initial step involves excising this tissue to create a primary defect. The surgeon then evaluates the primary defect to determine the most suitable method for tissue transfer or rearrangement. Various techniques may be employed, including Z-plasty, W-plasty, V-Y-plasty, rotation flaps, advancement flaps, or double pedicle flaps. During the procedure, adjacent skin and subcutaneous tissue are carefully incised and elevated, ensuring that one or more borders of the tissue remain attached, which results in the formation of a secondary defect. To facilitate the movement of the skin flaps, the surrounding tissue is undermined. The next step involves transferring or rearranging the tissue to effectively cover the primary defect. It is important to note that the configuration of the transfer or rearrangement may also address the secondary defect, or alternatively, the secondary defect may be closed using a separately reportable skin graft. The dimensions of both the primary and secondary defects are measured to ascertain the appropriate coding, with CPT® Code 14001 specifically designated for defects measuring between 10.1 square centimeters and 30 square centimeters.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Traumatic Wounds - These are injuries resulting from accidents or external forces that cause damage to the skin and underlying tissues on the trunk.
  • Lacerations - These are deep cuts or tears in the skin that may require surgical intervention to repair and restore the integrity of the trunk's surface.
  • Surgically Created Defects - These defects may arise from the excision of lesions or scars, necessitating reconstruction to achieve optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective tissue transfer or rearrangement:

  • Step 1: Evaluation of the Primary Defect - The surgeon begins by assessing the primary defect, which may be the result of trauma or surgical excision. This evaluation is crucial for determining the most appropriate technique for tissue transfer or rearrangement.
  • Step 2: Excision of Lesion or Scar - If a lesion or scar is present, it is excised to create a clean primary defect that can be addressed through the adjacent tissue transfer procedure.
  • Step 3: Incision and Elevation of Adjacent Tissue - Adjacent skin and subcutaneous tissue are incised and elevated, ensuring that one or more borders of the tissue remain attached. This step is essential for creating a secondary defect that will facilitate the transfer of tissue.
  • Step 4: Undermining Surrounding Tissue - The surrounding tissue is undermined to allow for adequate mobilization of the skin flaps. This step enhances the flexibility and movement of the tissue being transferred.
  • Step 5: Transfer or Rearrangement of Tissue - The elevated tissue is then transferred or rearranged to cover the primary defect. The configuration of the transfer may also address the secondary defect, depending on the surgical plan.
  • Step 6: Closure of Secondary Defect - If the secondary defect is not covered by the transferred tissue, it may be closed using a separately reportable skin graft, ensuring that both defects are adequately addressed.
  • Step 7: Measurement of Defects - Finally, the dimensions of both the primary and secondary defects are measured to determine the appropriate coding for the procedure, with specific codes assigned based on the size of the defects.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection, ensuring proper healing of the transferred tissue, and managing any discomfort. Patients may be advised on wound care techniques to maintain cleanliness and promote healing. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess the healing process and to address any complications that may arise. The expected recovery time can vary based on the extent of the tissue transfer and the individual patient's healing response.

Short Descr TIS TRNFR TRUNK 10.1-30SQCM
Medium Descr ADJNT TIS TRANSFR/REARRANGE TRUNK 10.1-30.0 SQCM
Long Descr Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, trunk; defect 10.1 sq cm to 30.0 sq cm
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 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) P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 172 - Skin graft

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

20701 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), deep (eg, subfascial) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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).
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.)
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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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)
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.
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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.)
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.
66 Surgical team: under some circumstances, highly complex procedures (requiring the concomitant services of several physicians or other qualified health care professionals, often of different specialties, plus other highly skilled, specially trained personnel, various types of complex equipment) are carried out under the "surgical team" concept. such circumstances may be identified by each participating individual with the addition of modifier 66 to the basic procedure number used for reporting services.
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.
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).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
E2 Lower left, eyelid
ET Emergency services
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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