tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2007 Issue 10

Reader Question ~ Skin Graft Is More Than Suturing

Question: The patient sliced the tip of his finger trying to catch a piece of falling metal. Examination revealed a 1.0-cm square avulsion injury to the radial aspect of the index finger down to subcutaneous tissue. There was no bone involvement or exposure, and no nail involvement. The patient wanted the skin replaced as a graft. The surgeon performed digital block and additional preparation, then sutured the patient's own skin, from the finger, back in place. The surgeon wants to code this as a full-thickness free graft, while I think this is wound repair. Who's right? Michigan Subscriber...

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