© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
A tissue cultured skin autograft is a specialized surgical procedure utilized to cover defects in various anatomical areas, including the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and multiple digits. This procedure involves the harvesting of epidermal tissue from the patient, which is then processed in a laboratory setting. The harvested tissue undergoes a meticulous process where it is separated from dermal cells and cultured in an incubator. During this culturing phase, the epidermal cells, known as keratinocytes, are provided with essential nutrients to promote their growth into sheets of skin suitable for grafting. Once the cultured graft is ready, it is placed in a transport medium and returned to the medical facility for the grafting procedure. The physician then carefully removes the graft from the transport medium and positions it over the prepared wound bed at the recipient site. To secure the graft in place, the physician may use interrupted sutures around the edges, or alternatively, staples or fibrin sealant may be employed. This procedure is critical for restoring skin integrity and function in areas affected by injury, disease, or surgical excision.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The tissue cultured skin autograft procedure is indicated for patients requiring coverage of skin defects in specific anatomical regions. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for a tissue cultured skin autograft involves several critical steps to ensure successful grafting. The first step is the harvesting of epidermal tissue from the patient, which is typically performed in a separate procedure. This harvested tissue is then sent to a specialized laboratory where it undergoes processing. In the lab, the epidermal cells are separated from the dermal cells and cultured in an incubator. This culturing process allows the keratinocytes to grow and multiply, forming sheets of skin that can be utilized for grafting. Once the cultured graft is ready, it is placed in a transport medium to maintain its viability during transport back to the medical facility. Upon arrival, the physician prepares the recipient site by ensuring the wound bed is clean and suitable for grafting. The physician then carefully removes the graft from the transport medium and positions it over the prepared wound bed. To secure the graft in place, the physician may use interrupted sutures around the periphery of the graft. Alternatively, staples or fibrin sealant may be employed to ensure proper adherence of the graft to the underlying tissue.
After the tissue cultured skin autograft procedure, patients may require specific post-operative care to promote healing and ensure the graft integrates successfully with the surrounding tissue. It is essential to monitor the graft site for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Patients may be advised to keep the area clean and dry, and to follow any specific wound care instructions provided by the physician. Pain management may also be necessary, and patients should be informed about the appropriate use of analgesics. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to assess the healing process and the viability of the graft. The expected recovery time can vary depending on the size and location of the graft, as well as the individual patient's healing response. Proper adherence to post-procedure care is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes and minimizing complications.
| Short Descr | TIS CLT AGRFT F/S/N/H/F/G AD | Medium Descr | TIS CLTR SKN AGRFT F/S/N/H/F/G/M/DGT AD 1-75SQCM | Long Descr | Tissue cultured skin autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; additional 1 sq cm to 75 sq cm (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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 172 - Skin graft |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 15155 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC T ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Tissue cultured skin autograft, face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, and/or multiple digits; first 25 sq cm or less | 15157 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Tissue cultured skin 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) |
| 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. | 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.) |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2012-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |