CPT® Code 15301 | Case2Code

Code deleted, see 15271-15274

Official Description

Allograft skin for temporary wound closure, trunk, arms, legs; 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)

Common Language Description

A skin allograft is a medical procedure that involves the application of donor skin to the trunk, arms, or legs of a patient for the purpose of temporary wound closure. This type of graft is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from extensive burns, where the availability of the patient's own skin (autogenous skin) is insufficient to cover the affected areas. The primary function of a temporary skin allograft is to provide a protective covering over the wound, which serves multiple purposes: it absorbs drainage from the wound, prevents the wound from drying out, and helps to maintain a moist environment conducive to healing. The allografts used in this procedure are typically split-thickness skin grafts that are harvested from cadaver donors and are cryopreserved until they are required for use. Before application, the allograft is carefully thawed and prepared to ensure it is suitable for grafting. Once the wound bed is adequately prepared, the temporary skin allograft is placed onto the wound and secured in position using absorbable sutures. Following the placement of the graft, a layered dressing is applied to protect the area. This dressing typically consists of a nonadherent layer to prevent sticking to the graft, a bulky layer of gauze to absorb any exudate, a compression layer to minimize swelling, and an anti-shear layer to protect against friction. For coding purposes, the CPT® code 15300 is used for the first 100 square centimeters or less of grafting in adults or for 1% of total body surface area (TBSA) in infants and children, while CPT® code 15301 is designated for each additional 100 square centimeters in adults or each additional 1% of TBSA in infants and children, or part thereof.

1. Indications

The application of an allograft skin for temporary wound closure is indicated in the following scenarios:

Extensive Burns Patients with significant burn injuries where there is inadequate autogenous skin available for wound coverage.
Wound Management Situations requiring temporary coverage of wounds to facilitate healing and protect the underlying tissue.
Skin Loss Cases involving substantial skin loss due to trauma, surgical procedures, or other medical conditions necessitating temporary skin coverage.

2. Procedure

The procedure for applying an allograft skin for temporary wound closure involves several critical steps:

Preparation of the Wound Bed The first step is to prepare the wound bed, which may involve debridement to remove any necrotic tissue and ensure a clean surface for grafting. This preparation is essential for optimal graft adherence and healing.
Thawing and Preparing the Allograft The allograft skin, which has been cryopreserved, is then carefully thawed. This process must be done under controlled conditions to maintain the viability of the graft. Once thawed, the allograft is inspected for quality and prepared for application.
Application of the Allograft The thawed allograft is placed onto the prepared wound bed. It is crucial to ensure that the graft adequately covers the entire wound area. The graft is then secured in place using absorbable sutures, which will dissolve over time and do not require removal.
Dressing the Graft After the allograft is secured, a layered dressing is applied. This dressing typically consists of a nonadherent layer to prevent sticking, a bulky gauze layer to absorb drainage, a compression layer to reduce swelling, and an anti-shear layer to protect the graft from friction and movement.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the graft site for signs of infection, proper adherence of the graft, and overall healing progress. Patients may be advised on how to care for the dressing and when to seek medical attention if complications arise. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and determine if further interventions are necessary. The expected recovery time can vary based on the extent of the injury and the patient's overall health, but the temporary allograft is designed to provide immediate coverage while the underlying tissue heals.

Short Descr	APPLY SKNALLOGRFT T/A/L ADDL
Medium Descr	ALGRFT TEMPORARY CLOSURE T/A/L EA 100 CM/EA
Long Descr	ALGRFT TEMPORARY CLOSURE T/A/L EA 100 CM/EA
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)	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	Discontinued Code
Type of Service (TOS)	2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS)	none
MUE	Not applicable/unspecified.
CCS Clinical Classification	172 - Skin graft