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Pediatric Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Dermabond

Published on Mon May 01, 2000

Question: We use Dermabond for some suture jobs. How do we code this? Is there any change in the year 2000?

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: Yes, CPT 2000 has solved the problem of how to code when using Dermabond, a tissue adhesive, instead of sutures for laceration repair. You can now use the laceration repair codes. This is very important to pediatricians, since Dermabond is much easier to use with children than sutures, especially on facial lacerations. New verbiage in CPT 2000 specifically states that these closure codes are for sutures, staples, or tissue adhesives. You cannot use the laceration repair codes if adhesive strips are the only repair material, however; use the appropriate E/M services code instead.
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