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Official Description

Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; trunk

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 15734 involves the use of a muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap taken from the trunk to repair a defect in the body. This surgical technique is essential for reconstructive purposes, where the physician utilizes a graft that may consist of muscle tissue, a combination of muscle and skin, or muscle fascia along with a skin flap. The process begins with the preparation of the flap at the donor site, which is the area from which the tissue is harvested. Once the flap is adequately prepared, it is rotated and positioned to cover the defect that requires repair. After the flap is secured in place with sutures, the donor site is then closed, which may involve suturing or the application of a skin graft if necessary. It is important to note that if a skin graft is required to close the donor site, this procedure should be reported separately. This code specifically applies to donor sites located on the trunk, distinguishing it from other codes that pertain to donor sites on the head, neck, upper extremities, or lower extremities.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 15734 is indicated for various conditions where there is a need to repair a defect in the trunk area. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:

  • Defects in the trunk that require reconstruction due to trauma, surgical excision, or congenital anomalies.
  • Skin loss resulting from conditions such as burns, infections, or other pathological processes that compromise the integrity of the skin and underlying tissues.
  • Oncological resections where tumors have been removed, necessitating the need for reconstructive surgery to restore the appearance and function of the trunk.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 15734 involves several critical steps that ensure the successful repair of the defect. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation of the Flap The surgeon begins by identifying the donor site on the trunk from which the muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap will be harvested. The area is then marked, and incisions are made to access the underlying tissue. Care is taken to preserve the vascular supply to the flap to ensure its viability.
  • Step 2: Harvesting the Flap Once the donor site is prepared, the surgeon carefully dissects the flap, which may include muscle, skin, and fascia. The flap is then mobilized while maintaining its blood supply, allowing it to be rotated into position over the defect that requires coverage.
  • Step 3: Positioning the Flap After the flap has been harvested, it is rotated and positioned to cover the defect. The surgeon ensures that the flap adequately overlaps the defect to provide sufficient coverage and support for healing.
  • Step 4: Securing the Flap The flap is then sutured into place using appropriate suturing techniques to ensure stability and proper alignment. This step is crucial for the success of the flap and the overall outcome of the procedure.
  • Step 5: Closing the Donor Site Following the successful placement of the flap, the donor site is closed. This may involve suturing the edges of the incision together or, if necessary, applying a skin graft to cover the area from which the flap was taken. If a skin graft is utilized, it should be reported separately as per coding guidelines.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure, post-operative care is essential for ensuring proper healing and minimizing complications. Patients are typically monitored for signs of flap viability, which includes assessing blood flow and ensuring that the flap remains healthy. Pain management is also an important aspect of post-procedure care, and patients may be prescribed analgesics as needed. Follow-up appointments are necessary to evaluate the healing process and to address any concerns that may arise. Additionally, instructions regarding activity restrictions and wound care will be provided to the patient to promote optimal recovery.

Short Descr MUSCLE-SKIN GRAFT TRUNK
Medium Descr MUSC MYOCUTANEOUS/FASCIOCUTANEOUS FLAP TRUNK
Long Descr Muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flap; trunk
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) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply 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 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 4
CCS Clinical Classification 172 - Skin graft
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).
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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).
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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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.
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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.)
ET Emergency services
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.
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.)
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. 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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
E4 Lower right, eyelid
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GJ "opt out" physician or practitioner emergency or urgent service
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
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
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
1990-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1990.
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