AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2026 Quarter 3; Ask the Editor

3D Printed Fat Graft Insertion into Mastectomy Defect

A plastic surgeon performs autologous fat harvesting from the abdomen and medial thighs using tumescent technique and liposuction, yielding approximately 300 cc of fat. The harvested fat is processed, and aliquots are prepared, with a portion reserved for use in a 3D printing system. The surgeon utilizes a 3D printer to fabricate structured fat graft “wafers” by combining measured aliquots of fat with thrombin. These printed graft constructs are then implanted into the right breast defect following excision of scar and elevation of skin flaps for mastectomy flap necrosis. Additional conventional fat grafting is performed to the bilateral breasts, 40 cc to the left breast and 35 cc to the right breast. How should this procedure be reported? ...

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