CPT Surgery: Integumentary System Flashcards

A shave removal of a benign lesion measuring 0.4 cm is performed on the face. Which CPT code applies?

Answer: 11310

CPT 11310 covers shave removal of a benign lesion on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and mucous membrane, 0.6 cm or less.

An excision of a benign lesion on the back measures 2.0 cm with 0.3 cm margins on each side. What is the total excised diameter reported?

Answer: 2.6 cm

The reported excision diameter includes the lesion size plus the narrowest margin on each side: 2.0 + 0.3 + 0.3 = 2.6 cm.

Which modifier is appended when a malignant lesion excision requires a more complex closure than simple repair?

Answer: Report the excision code and a separate wound repair code

When excision of a malignant or benign lesion requires intermediate or complex repair, the repair is reported separately in addition to the excision code.

A punch biopsy of one skin lesion is performed in the office. Which CPT code is reported?

Answer: 11102

CPT 11102 is reported for the tangential/punch biopsy of skin; 11104 is used for a punch biopsy specifically.

A physician performs incision and drainage (I&D) of a pilonidal cyst. Which CPT code applies?

Answer: 10080

CPT 10080 is reported for incision and drainage of a pilonidal cyst, simple; 10081 is used for the complicated version.

When reporting nail avulsion (partial or complete), which code is reported for a single nail?

Answer: 11730

CPT 11730 covers avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple, for one nail; 11732 is the add-on for each additional nail.

A patient has a lipoma excised from the subcutaneous tissue of the arm, measuring 3.5 cm. Which code is reported?

Answer: 11402

CPT 11402 covers excision of a benign lesion on the trunk/arms/legs, 1.1 to 2.0 cm — a 3.5 cm lipoma would be 11404 (3.1-4.0 cm).