© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 15950 refers to the surgical procedure for the excision of a trochanteric pressure ulcer, which is commonly known as a pressure sore, bedsore, or decubitus ulcer. These ulcers typically develop over the greater trochanter, a prominent bony projection located at the proximal end of the femur, which serves as an attachment point for various muscles in the thigh and buttock. The procedure involves the creation of an elliptical incision around the ulcer, allowing for the complete removal of all necrotic tissue, which includes the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and potentially muscle. Following the excision, the wound is meticulously closed in layers using primary suture repair, ensuring that the integrity of the surrounding tissue is maintained and promoting optimal healing. This procedure is critical for patients suffering from significant pressure ulcers, as it addresses the underlying tissue damage and facilitates recovery while minimizing the risk of further complications.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 15950 is indicated for patients presenting with a trochanteric pressure ulcer, which may also be referred to as a pressure sore, bedsore, or decubitus ulcer. These ulcers typically occur over the greater trochanter and are often associated with prolonged pressure on the skin, particularly in individuals with limited mobility. The presence of necrotic tissue and the potential for infection necessitate surgical intervention to promote healing and prevent further complications.
The procedure for excising a trochanteric pressure ulcer involves several critical steps to ensure effective removal of the ulcer and surrounding necrotic tissue.
Post-procedure care for patients who have undergone excision of a trochanteric pressure ulcer includes monitoring the surgical site for signs of infection, ensuring proper wound care, and managing pain. Patients may require follow-up visits to assess healing and to determine if additional interventions are necessary. It is also important to implement strategies to prevent the recurrence of pressure ulcers, which may involve changes in positioning, the use of specialized mattresses, and ongoing assessment of skin integrity.
| Short Descr | EXC TRCHNTR PR ULC PRIM SUTR | Medium Descr | EXC TROCHANTERIC PRESSURE ULCER W/PRIMARY SUTR | Long Descr | Excision, trochanteric pressure ulcer, with primary suture; | 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 | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | 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 | 170 - Excision of skin lesion |
| 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. | 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.) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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