Coding for a Laceration Repair

Question:

I repaired a 12 cm jagged laceration of the midabdomen by undermning1cm to release the skin edges. Due to the length of the laceration and potential wound tension concerns, I closed the laceration in layers and retention sutures are used. What procedure code should I report?

Answer:

Good question.  Because Undermining of tissue under skin, retention sutures constitute a complex repair.  Since the defect is 12 cm you would report CPT code 13102 (complex repair of the trunk 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm) plus CPT 13102 (add on code for each additional 5 cm or less).