CPC Integumentary System Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A surgeon excises a malignant melanoma measuring 1.8 cm from the scalp with 1 cm margins. What is the total diameter used for code selection?
- 1.8 cm
- 2.8 cm
- 3.8 cm (Correct answer)
- 1.0 cm
Correct answer: 3.8 cm
The excised diameter includes the lesion (1.8 cm) plus the margins on each side (1 cm + 1 cm), totaling 3.8 cm.
Question 2: Which CPT code describes the repair of a wound using tissue adhesive (e.g., Dermabond) without sutures?
- 12001
- 12002
- G0168 (Correct answer)
- 99213
Correct answer: G0168
HCPCS code G0168 is used specifically for wound closure using tissue adhesive only, when no suturing is performed.
Question 3: A plastic surgeon performs a rhomboid flap to close a 10 sq cm defect on the cheek. This is reported under which CPT code category?
- Split-thickness skin graft codes
- Adjacent tissue transfer/rearrangement codes (Correct answer)
- Free skin graft codes
- Skin substitute graft codes
Correct answer: Adjacent tissue transfer/rearrangement codes
A rhomboid flap is a type of local flap classified under adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement (CPT 14000-14350).
Question 4: When multiple lacerations of the same complexity and anatomical area are repaired in the same session, how should the lengths be reported?
- Report each laceration separately
- Report only the longest laceration
- Add the lengths together and report a single code (Correct answer)
- Report the average length of all lacerations
Correct answer: Add the lengths together and report a single code
Per CPT guidelines, lacerations of the same complexity and same body area/grouping are added together and reported as a single code reflecting the combined length.
Question 5: Destruction of a premalignant actinic keratosis lesion is reported with which CPT code for the first lesion?
- 17110
- 17000 (Correct answer)
- 17004
- 11300
Correct answer: 17000
CPT 17000 is used for destruction of the first premalignant lesion (actinic keratosis); 17003 is added for each additional lesion up to 14.
Question 6: A patient has a sebaceous cyst excised from the neck. This would be coded under which CPT subsection?
- Excision of malignant lesions
- Excision of benign lesions (Correct answer)
- Shave removal of lesions
- Destruction of lesions
Correct answer: Excision of benign lesions
A sebaceous cyst is a benign lesion, so its excision is reported using the benign lesion excision codes (11400-11471), based on site and size.
Question 7: Intermediate wound repair includes which of the following characteristics?
- Single-layer closure of superficial tissues only
- Requires layered closure of one or more of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue or fascia (Correct answer)
- Requires the use of microsurgical techniques
- Requires general anesthesia
Correct answer: Requires layered closure of one or more of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue or fascia
Intermediate repair involves layered closure of deeper subcutaneous or fascial layers in addition to skin, distinguishing it from simple repair.
CPC Integumentary System Procedures 3
A surgeon excises a malignant melanoma measuring 1.8 cm from the scalp with 1 cm margins.
What is the total diameter used for code selection?