Surgical Repair CPT Coding Guideline

Post Last Updated on 21 Feb 2026

What is Surgical repair in Integumentary System?

Surgical repair is te closure of the wound using sutures, staples or other material.

What are the medical necessity of Repair?

Laceration of skin due to Injury

Surgical closure after performing any Surgical procedure.

Surgical repair

CPT code range for Repair

12001-12021 : Simple Repair

12031 -12057 : Intermediate Repair

13100 -13160 : Complex Repair

CPT Code selection Criteria for repair procedure

1. The code selection is based on the nature of repair performed.

2. Code selection is based on total length of repair performed.

Type of Repair

The repair of wounds may be classified as Simple, Intermediate, or Complex. 

1.Simple repair 

It is used when the wound is superficial (eg, involving primarily epidermis or dermis, or subcutaneous tissues without significant involvement of deeper structures) and requires simple one-layer closure. Hemostasis and local or topical anesthesia, when performed, are not reported separately.

2.Intermediate repair 

It includes the repair of wounds that, in addition to the above, require layered closure of one or more of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial (nonmuscle) fascia, in addition to the skin (epidermal and dermal) closure. 

It includes limited undermining (defined as a distance less than the maximum width of the defect, measured perpendicular to the closure line, along at least one entire edge of the defect). 

Single-layer closure of heavily contaminated wounds that have required extensive cleaning or removal of particulate matter also constitutes intermediate repair. 

3.Complex repair

It includes the repair of wounds that, in addition to the requirements for intermediate repair, require at least one of the following: 

1. Exposure of bone, cartilage, tendon, or named neurovascular structure; debridement of wound edges (eg, traumatic lacerations or avulsions)

2. It may extensive undermining (defined as a distance greater than or equal to the maximum width of the defect, measured perpendicular to the closure line along at least one entire edge of the defect)

3. Also involvement of free margins of helical rim, vermilion border, or nostril rim;placement of retention sutures. Necessary preparation includes creation of a limited defect for repairs or the debridement of complicated lacerations or avulsions. 

4. Complex repair does not include excision of benign (11400-11446) or malignant (11600- 11646) lesions, excisional preparation of a wound bed (15002- 15005) or debridement of an open fracture or open dislocation.

Coding guideline for repair of Skin

1. The repaired wound(s) should be measured and recorded in centimeters, whether curved, angular, or stellate. 

2. When multiple wounds are repaired, add together the lengths of those in the same classification (see above) and from all anatomic sites that are grouped together into the same code descriptor. For example, add together the lengths of intermediate repairs to the trunk and extremities. 

3. Do not add lengths of repairs from different groupings of anatomic sites (eg, face and extremities). Also, do not add together lengths of different classifications (eg, intermediate and complex repairs). 

4. When more than one classification of wounds is repaired, list the more complicated as the primary procedure and the less complicated as the secondary procedure, using modifier 59.

Notes: Simple Repair include closure of One layer with either one or Two material. Epidermis and Dermis considered as (cutaneous) one layer.