Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: Some of our doctors consider ear lobe repair a cosmetic procedure, but I feel there are appropriate CPT wound repair codes that can be used for this because, in my opinion, the repair is not cosmetic. What do you recommend for coding torn earlobe repair?

New Mexico Subscriber

Answer: To report repair of a torn ear lobe, we recommend 12051 (Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips and/or mucous membranes; 2.5 cm or less).

This CPT code is used for the intermediate repair of superficial wounds to the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes, which are 2.5 cm or less in size. The procedure involves the physician closing a wound to the ear with intermediate repairs or layered closure. It involves one or more of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial (nonmuscle) fascia, in addition to the skin (epidermal and dermal) closure.

If you have a larger tear than 2.5 cm, select the correct code within the 12051 to 12057 range by adding together the lengths of the wounds covered at each identical level to arrive at a total length. Then, select the corresponding code according to size.