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The procedure described by CPT® Code 15877 is known as suction assisted lipectomy, commonly referred to as liposuction. This surgical technique is specifically aimed at removing excess fat deposits from the trunk area of the body. During the procedure, the physician makes small incisions in the skin over the targeted areas where fat accumulation is present. A suction curettage cannula is then inserted through these incisions. The physician skillfully maneuvers the cannula in a systematic manner, typically in rows, to effectively evacuate the unwanted fat cells from the body. Once the desired amount of fat has been removed, the incisions are closed using a simple closure technique, ensuring minimal scarring and promoting healing. It is important to note that there are specific codes for liposuction in different anatomical regions, such as code 15876 for the head and neck, 15878 for the upper extremity, and 15879 for the lower extremity, highlighting the specificity of this coding system in relation to the areas treated.
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The suction assisted lipectomy procedure, as described by CPT® Code 15877, is indicated for patients who have localized areas of excessive fat deposits in the trunk region. This procedure is typically performed on individuals seeking to improve their body contour and achieve a more aesthetically pleasing silhouette. It may be indicated for patients who have not achieved desired results through diet and exercise alone, or for those who have specific areas of fat that are resistant to traditional weight loss methods.
The suction assisted lipectomy procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective fat removal from the trunk area. First, the physician marks the areas on the skin where fat removal is desired, ensuring a clear plan for the procedure. Next, the physician administers anesthesia to ensure the patient’s comfort during the surgery. After the patient is adequately anesthetized, small incisions are made in the skin over the targeted fat deposits. These incisions are strategically placed to minimize visible scarring. Following the incision, a suction curettage cannula is inserted through the openings. The physician then moves the cannula in a systematic manner, typically in rows, to break up and suction out the excess fat cells. This process is repeated until the desired amount of fat has been removed. Once the procedure is complete, the physician closes the incisions using a simple closure technique, which may involve sutures or adhesive strips, depending on the specific case and physician preference.
After the suction assisted lipectomy procedure, patients are typically monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate complications. Post-procedure care may include instructions for managing pain, swelling, and bruising, which are common after liposuction. Patients are often advised to wear compression garments to help reduce swelling and support the healing process. It is important for patients to follow their physician's specific post-operative instructions, which may include recommendations for activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to monitor recovery. The expected recovery time can vary, but many patients can return to normal activities within a few weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure and individual healing rates.
| Short Descr | SUCTION LIPECTOMY TRUNK | Medium Descr | SUCTION ASSISTED LIPECTOMY TRUNK | Long Descr | Suction assisted lipectomy; trunk | Status Code | Restricted Coverage | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | 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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 175 - Other OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast |
| 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). | 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.) | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | 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 |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Short Descriptor changed. |
| 1990-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1990. |
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