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Official Description

Free fascial flap with microvascular anastomosis

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 15758 involves the surgical technique known as a free fascial flap with microvascular anastomosis. This complex procedure is performed under general anesthesia and is primarily utilized to repair defects in various anatomical areas where tissue loss has occurred. The term 'fascial flap' refers to a section of tissue that includes fascia, which is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. The 'free' aspect indicates that the flap is detached from its original blood supply and is then relocated to a different site, where it is reconnected through microvascular anastomosis. This connection is crucial as it restores blood flow and nerve supply to the transplanted tissue, ensuring its viability and functionality. The procedure begins with the careful preparation of the donor site, where the fascial flap is harvested. Following this, the flap is meticulously sutured into the defect area. The use of microscopy during the anastomosis allows for precise connection of the blood vessels and nerves, which may involve the injection of fluorescent dye to confirm successful vessel joining. Post-operative care includes suturing the wound closed, applying a dressing, and potentially using splints to minimize skin flap shrinkage. The donor site is also closed and dressed to promote healing.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 15758 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where tissue reconstruction is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the use of a free fascial flap with microvascular anastomosis:

  • Defect Repair The procedure is performed to repair significant tissue defects resulting from trauma, surgical excision, or congenital anomalies.
  • Reconstruction After Tumor Resection It is indicated for reconstructing areas following the removal of tumors, particularly in regions where soft tissue coverage is essential for functional and aesthetic restoration.
  • Chronic Wound Management The procedure may be utilized in cases of chronic wounds that have not responded to conventional treatments, requiring advanced surgical intervention for healing.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 15758 involves several critical steps to ensure successful tissue transfer and anastomosis. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Anesthesia Administration The patient is placed under general anesthesia to ensure comfort and immobility during the surgical procedure.
  • Step 2: Donor Site Preparation The physician prepares the donor area by cleaning and marking the site from which the fascial flap will be harvested. This preparation is crucial for minimizing complications and ensuring optimal tissue quality.
  • Step 3: Flap Harvesting The physician carefully dissects and removes the fascial flap from the donor site, ensuring that the underlying blood vessels and nerves are preserved for later anastomosis.
  • Step 4: Flap Positioning The harvested fascial flap is then sutured into the defect area, aligning it properly to ensure adequate coverage and integration with the surrounding tissue.
  • Step 5: Microvascular Anastomosis Using microscopy, the physician connects the blood vessels and nerves from the donor flap to the recipient site. This step is critical for restoring blood flow and nerve function to the transplanted tissue.
  • Step 6: Verification of Anastomosis The physician may inject fluorescent dye into the vessels to verify the accuracy of the anastomosis, ensuring that the vessels are properly joined and functioning.
  • Step 7: Wound Closure After confirming successful anastomosis, the wound is sutured closed, and a dressing is applied to protect the surgical site.
  • Step 8: Donor Site Closure Finally, the donor site is also closed and dressed to promote healing and minimize scarring.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing CPT® Code 15758 includes monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection, ensuring proper blood flow to the flap, and managing pain. Patients may require splinting to reduce the risk of skin flap shrinkage and to maintain the integrity of the newly positioned tissue. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the healing process and the viability of the flap, as well as to address any complications that may arise. Proper wound care instructions will be provided to the patient to facilitate recovery and promote optimal outcomes.

Short Descr FREE FASCIAL FLAP MICROVASC
Medium Descr FREE FASCIAL FLAP W/MICROVASCULAR ANASTOMOSIS
Long Descr Free fascial flap with microvascular anastomosis
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) 2 - Co-surgeons permitted and no documentation required if the two- specialty requirement is met.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5A - Ambulatory procedures - skin
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 172 - Skin graft

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

20701 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), deep (eg, subfascial) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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).
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)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
1997-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1997.
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