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The CPT® Code 15610 refers to the surgical procedure involving the delay of a flap or the sectioning of a flap, specifically at the scalp, arms, or legs. The term "delay of flap" describes a technique where a flap is partially divided to improve its blood supply before it is fully utilized in reconstruction. This staged approach, known as a delay maneuver, is crucial for enhancing vascular circulation at the recipient site, ensuring that the tissue remains viable and healthy during the healing process. On the other hand, "sectioning of flap" involves the complete transection of the flap, followed by its inset at the designated recipient site. This process includes the closure of the defect created by the flap's removal. In cases where a portion of the flap is not used, it is returned to the donor site. If the donor site has been previously closed with a skin graft, this graft may be removed and replaced with the remaining flap tissue. Should there be a need for additional coverage at the donor site, a separate skin graft or local flap can be applied. It is important to note that different codes are designated for similar procedures performed on various body parts, such as CPT® Code 15600 for the trunk, CPT® Code 15620 for the forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, or feet, and CPT® Code 15630 for the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips.
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The procedure described by CPT® Code 15610 is indicated for specific surgical scenarios involving the scalp, arms, or legs. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 15610 involves several critical steps that ensure the successful delay or sectioning of the flap:
After the completion of the procedure associated with CPT® Code 15610, post-operative care is essential for optimal recovery. Patients are typically monitored for any signs of complications, such as infection or flap failure. Instructions regarding wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments are provided to ensure proper healing. The expected recovery time may vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient's health status. It is crucial for patients to adhere to the post-operative guidelines to promote healing and achieve the best possible outcomes.
| Short Descr | DELAY FLAP ARMS/LEGS | Medium Descr | DELAY FLAP/SECTIONING FLAP SCALP ARMS/LEGS | Long Descr | Delay of flap or sectioning of flap (division and inset); at scalp, arms, or legs | 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) | 0 - 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 |
| 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. | 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). | 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). | 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. | 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. | 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 | F4 | Left hand, fifth digit | F6 | Right hand, second digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | 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) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | T1 | Left foot, second digit | T2 | Left foot, third digit | T5 | Right foot, great toe | T6 | Right foot, second digit | TA | Left foot, great toe |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Short Descriptor changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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