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Autologous fat grafting, commonly referred to as fat transfer, is a surgical procedure that involves the harvesting of adipose tissue from one area of the body and its subsequent injection into another area to restore volume or improve contour. This technique is utilized for both reconstructive and aesthetic purposes, addressing issues such as volume loss or contour deformities that may arise from various factors including disease, trauma, tumor removal, congenital defects, and the natural aging process. The procedure begins with the collection of fat through liposuction, which is a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions to access the fat deposits. The harvested fat is then processed to prepare it for injection. During the injection phase, small cannulas are inserted through the incisions into the targeted areas, allowing for the precise placement of the fat. The fat is injected in small amounts while withdrawing the cannula, which helps to distribute the fat evenly and minimizes the risk of complications such as overcrowding of the transplanted adipocytes. The CPT® Code 15772 specifically pertains to the reporting of each additional 50 cc of injectate used in the procedure, following the primary procedure code, which is represented by CPT® Code 15771 for the initial 50 cc or less of fat grafting.
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Reconstructive Needs Autologous fat grafting is indicated for patients requiring reconstruction due to trauma, surgical excision of tumors, or congenital defects that result in volume loss or contour deformities.
Aesthetic Enhancement The procedure is also performed for aesthetic purposes, addressing natural aging effects that lead to volume depletion in areas such as the face, breasts, and other body parts.
Step 1: Harvesting of Adipose Tissue The procedure begins with the harvesting of autologous fat using a liposuction technique. This involves making small incisions in the skin, through which a cannula is inserted to suction out fat from donor sites, which may include the abdomen, thighs, or flanks. The amount of fat harvested is determined based on the needs of the recipient site and the overall goals of the procedure.
Step 2: Processing of Fat Once the fat is harvested, it undergoes a processing phase to prepare it for injection. This may involve centrifugation or filtration to remove excess fluids and debris, ensuring that only viable adipocytes are used for grafting. The processed fat is then placed in syringes for easy injection.
Step 3: Injection of Fat The next step involves the injection of the prepared fat into the targeted areas. The surgeon inserts the cannula through the previously made incisions and injects the fat in small aliquots while withdrawing the cannula. This technique allows for even distribution of the fat at varying depths, which is crucial for achieving a natural appearance and minimizing complications such as necrosis or lumpiness.
Step 4: Closure of Incisions After the fat has been injected, the small incisions are typically closed with sutures or adhesive strips, depending on the surgeon's preference and the specific technique used. The area is then bandaged to protect it during the initial healing phase.
Post-procedure care involves monitoring the injection sites for any signs of complications such as infection or excessive swelling. Patients are usually advised to avoid strenuous activities for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the results of the fat grafting and to determine if any additional procedures are necessary. Patients may experience some bruising and swelling, which typically resolves within a few weeks, and the final results of the grafting may take several months to fully manifest as the body adjusts to the transplanted fat.
| Short Descr | GRFG AUTOL FAT LIPO EA ADDL | Medium Descr | GRAFTING OF AUTOLOGOUS FAT BY LIPO EA ADDL 50 CC | Long Descr | Grafting of autologous fat harvested by liposuction technique to trunk, breasts, scalp, arms, and/or legs; each additional 50 cc injectate, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 9 |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 15771 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC T ASC G2 Grafting of autologous fat harvested by liposuction technique to trunk, breasts, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 50 cc or less injectate |
| GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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.) | 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. | 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). | 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. | 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. | 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.) | 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) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | 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) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service |
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| 2020-01-01 | Added | Code added. |
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