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Official Description

Delay of flap or sectioning of flap (division and inset); at eyelids, nose, ears, or lips

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 15630 refers to the surgical procedure involving the delay of a flap or the sectioning of a flap specifically at the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips. The term "delay of flap" describes a staged surgical technique where a flap is partially divided to improve its blood supply, thereby enhancing the vascular circulation at the recipient site. This technique is often referred to as a delay maneuver. In contrast, "sectioning of flap" involves the complete division of the flap, followed by its inset at the designated recipient site. During this procedure, the surgeon transects the flap and subsequently performs the closure of the defect at the recipient site. Any portion of the flap that is not utilized is returned to the donor site. If the donor site has been previously closed using a skin graft, the 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 may be applied. This code is specifically designated for procedures involving the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips, distinguishing it from other codes that apply to different anatomical locations, such as the trunk, scalp, arms, or legs.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 15630 is indicated for specific conditions and scenarios involving the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips. The following are the explicitly provided indications for performing this procedure:

  • Reconstruction Needs The procedure is often indicated for reconstructive purposes, particularly in cases where there is a defect or loss of tissue in the eyelids, nose, ears, or lips due to trauma, surgical excision, or congenital anomalies.
  • Enhancement of Vascular Supply The delay of flap technique is indicated when there is a need to enhance the vascular supply to the flap, ensuring better healing and integration at the recipient site.
  • Complex Wound Closure This procedure may be indicated for complex wound closures where traditional methods may not suffice, requiring the use of a flap for adequate coverage and aesthetic restoration.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 15630 involves several critical steps that ensure the successful delay or sectioning of the flap. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Step 1: Assessment and Planning The surgeon begins by assessing the defect at the recipient site and determining the appropriate flap to be used. This includes evaluating the vascular supply and planning the incision lines for optimal healing and aesthetic outcomes.
  • Step 2: Delay of Flap If a delay of flap is indicated, the surgeon performs a partial division of the flap, which is designed to enhance blood flow to the flap tissue. This step is crucial for ensuring that the flap remains viable when it is eventually inset at the recipient site.
  • Step 3: Sectioning of Flap In cases where sectioning of the flap is performed, the surgeon transects the flap completely. This involves cutting through the flap tissue to prepare it for inset at the recipient site.
  • Step 4: Inset and Closure After sectioning, the surgeon carefully positions the flap at the recipient site, ensuring that it is properly aligned and secured. The closure of the defect is then performed, which may involve suturing or other closure techniques to ensure a secure fit.
  • Step 5: Management of Donor Site Any unused portion of the flap is returned to the donor site. If the donor site was previously closed with a skin graft, the surgeon may remove the graft and replace it with the remaining flap tissue. If additional coverage is necessary, a separately reportable skin graft or local flap may be applied to the donor site.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for CPT® Code 15630 involves monitoring the recipient and donor sites for signs of healing and potential complications. Patients are typically advised to keep the area clean and dry, and to follow specific wound care instructions provided by the surgeon. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and to ensure that the flap is integrating properly at the recipient site. Any signs of infection, excessive swelling, or other complications should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately. The expected recovery time may vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient's healing response.

Short Descr DELAY FLAP EYE/NOS/EAR/LIP
Medium Descr DELAY FLAP/SCTJ FLAP EYELIDS NOSE EARS/LIPS
Long Descr Delay of flap or sectioning of flap (division and inset); at eyelids, nose, ears, or lips
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) 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 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
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.
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).
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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.)
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.)
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.
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.
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure 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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E2 Lower left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
E4 Lower right, eyelid
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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