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Split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are surgical procedures that involve the transplantation of skin from one area of the body (the donor site) to another area (the recipient site) to cover wounds or defects. This type of graft includes the entire epidermis and a portion of the dermis, which is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. Common donor sites for harvesting STSGs include the thigh, buttocks, abdominal wall, and scalp. The harvesting process typically employs a specialized instrument known as a dermatome, which allows for precise removal of the skin at a controlled thickness. Prior to harvesting, the donor site is usually injected with a local anesthetic combined with epinephrine to minimize bleeding during the procedure. The dermatome is then adjusted to the desired depth and moved across the skin in a continuous motion, applying downward pressure to obtain the graft. Once harvested, the graft may be prepared for transfer to the recipient site, which can involve techniques such as meshing to increase the graft's surface area. The final step involves placing the graft over the wound bed of the recipient site, where it is secured in place using sutures, typically consisting of four corner sutures and a running suture around the edges. CPT® Code 15121 is specifically used to report each additional 100 square centimeters of STSG performed on various anatomical sites, including the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and multiple digits, in addition to the primary procedure code.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are indicated for a variety of conditions and situations where skin coverage is necessary. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure for performing a split-thickness skin graft involves several key steps that ensure the successful harvesting and transplantation of the graft:
After the split-thickness skin graft procedure, appropriate post-operative care is essential for optimal healing and graft take. Patients are typically monitored for signs of infection and proper graft adherence. The recipient site may require dressing changes and should be kept clean and dry. Pain management is also an important aspect of post-procedure care. Patients may be advised to limit movement in the area to prevent disruption of the graft. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing process and to determine if any additional interventions are needed. The expected recovery time can vary based on the size and location of the graft, as well as the individual patient's healing response.
| Short Descr | SPLT AGRFT F/S/N/H/F/G/M EA | Medium Descr | SPLT AGRFT F/S/N/H/F/G/M/DGT EA 100 SQCM/EA 1% | Long Descr | Split-thickness autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; each additional 100 sq cm, or each additional 1% of body area of infants and children, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 8 | CCS Clinical Classification | 172 - Skin graft |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 15120 | Changed Code for 2025 MPFS Status: Active Code APC T ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Split-thickness autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children (except 15050) |
| GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | 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). | 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.) | 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) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | E4 | Lower right, eyelid | ET | Emergency services | 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) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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