© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
A dermal xenograft, specifically referred to as a heterograft, is a surgical procedure involving the application of skin or tissue obtained from a different species, most commonly porcine (pig). This type of graft is utilized for temporary wound closure on the trunk, arms, or legs. The primary purpose of a xenograft is to serve as a biological dressing that protects the wound and promotes healing until it is eventually rejected by the patient's immune system. The process begins with the preparation of the xenograft, which is treated with glycerol and either frozen using liquid nitrogen or freeze-dried, a method known as lyophilization. When needed for application, the graft is thawed if it was frozen or rehydrated if it was freeze-dried. Once prepared, the xenograft is carefully placed onto the cleaned and prepared wound bed and is secured in position using sutures. It is important to note that the coding for this procedure is specific: CPT® Code 15400 is used for the first 100 square centimeters or less in adults or for 1% of total body surface area (TBSA) in infants and children, while CPT® Code 15401 is designated for each additional 100 square centimeters in adults or each additional 1% of TBSA in infants and children, or any part thereof. This structured approach ensures accurate coding and billing for the procedure, reflecting the complexity and extent of the treatment provided.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The application of a dermal xenograft is indicated for various conditions that require temporary wound closure. These indications include:
The procedure for applying a dermal xenograft involves several critical steps, which are outlined as follows:
After the application of the dermal xenograft, post-procedure care is essential to ensure proper healing and minimize complications. Patients are typically monitored for signs of graft rejection, infection, or other adverse reactions. It is important to keep the graft site clean and dry, and follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing process. The xenograft is expected to remain in place temporarily, and as the patient's body begins to reject the graft, further treatment options may be discussed to achieve permanent wound closure.
| Short Descr | APPLY SKN XENOGRFT T/A/L ADD | Medium Descr | XENOGRAFT TEMP CLOSURE TRUNK/ARM/LEG EA 100CM | Long Descr | XENOGRAFT TEMP CLOSURE TRUNK/ARM/LEG EA 100CM | 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 |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.