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CPT 13132: Complex Wound Repair of Cheeks, Chin, Mouth, Neck

CPT code 13132 represents a complex repair procedure for wounds measuring 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm on anatomically sensitive sites such as the cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and feet. The code captures cases requiring scar revision, debridement, extensive undermining, and adjunctive techniques like stents or retention sutures alongside layered closure. Nationally, accurate use of this code affects provider documentation, coding compliance, and payment for more complex soft-tissue repairs performed across outpatient and ambulatory surgical settings.

Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find practical context on when 13132 applies clinically, the typical service settings where it is reported, and common billing considerations. The publication outlines benchmark patterns and payer coverage themes, highlights coding nuances that influence reimbursement, and summarizes clinical factors that distinguish this level of repair from simpler closure codes. Data not available in the input is identified where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 13132 describes repair of a wound measuring 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm located on the cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and/or feet. The procedure may include scar revision, debridement, extensive undermining of tissues, and placement of stents or retention sutures in addition to a layered closure.

Service Type: Complex wound repair with layered closure and extensive tissue management

Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and physician office procedure suites

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CPT 13132: Complex Wound Repair of Cheeks, Chin, Mouth, Neck

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Billing Code Overview

Service Type: Complex wound repair with layered closure and extensive tissue management

Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and physician office procedure suites

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 34-year-old male presents to the emergency department after an altercation resulting in a 4.2 cm full‑thickness laceration across the left cheek extending toward the nasolabial fold. The wound edges are irregular with contamination from soil and some devitalized tissue. The surgical team performs local anesthesia, thorough irrigation and debridement, extensive undermining to reduce tension, layered closure with deep absorbable sutures and fine epidermal sutures, and placement of a small retention suture to offload tension. A scar revision component is required because the injury crosses cosmetic subunits of the face. Hemostasis is achieved and post‑procedure wound care instructions are documented. The procedure is coded to capture a complex repair of the cheek measuring 2.6–7.5 cm.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure	Use when a distinct E/M (e.g., ED assessment, consent, medical decision making for laceration) is performed prior to repair.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional component of a service that has professional and technical components (rare for laceration repair).
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when identical complex repairs are performed on symmetric bilateral sites requiring separate reporting as allowed.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when more than one distinct procedure (other than multiple layered closure codes) is performed during the same session and payer requires modifier for reduced reimbursement.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the repair is started but not completed or scope is reduced from typical service.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances prior to completion.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate, distinct procedure (different anatomic site or separate service) performed the same day.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of the repair.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use if the same surgeon repeats the procedure later the same day for the same patient.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use if a different surgeon repeats the procedure later the same day.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room	Use when the patient returns to the OR for a related procedure during the postoperative period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by same physician during postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period.
`LT`	Left side	Use to designate laterality when required by payer reporting.
`RT`	Right side	Use to designate laterality when required by payer reporting.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Plastic Surgery	Plastic surgeons commonly perform complex facial repairs and scar revision.
207L00000X	Dermatology	Dermatologists perform complex repairs of facial and cutaneous wounds, including scar revision.
207K00000X	General Surgery	General surgeons manage complex wounds in multiple anatomic sites, including hands and feet.
207T00000X	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	OMFS frequently repair facial lacerations involving lip, mouth, and perioral structures.
2080S0122X	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians often perform initial complex wound repair and debridement in acute settings.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S01.401A`	Laceration without foreign body of cheek and temporomandibular area, initial encounter	Facial lacerations of the cheek are a common indication for complex repair in this anatomic subunit.
`S01.402A`	Laceration without foreign body of left cheek and temporomandibular area, initial encounter	Side‑specific code when laterality is documented and required for billing.
`S01.5XXA`	Laceration of lip, initial encounter	Lacerations involving the mouth or lip often require layered closure and possible scar revision.
`S31.102A`	Laceration without foreign body of neck, initial encounter	Neck lacerations can require extensive undermining and layered closure due to tension and mobility.
`S61.211A`	Laceration of right wrist with tendon involvement, initial encounter	Hand and wrist lacerations sometimes require complex repair and coordination with tendon repair services.
`S00.83XA`	Contusion of other part of head, initial encounter	Associated blunt trauma may accompany complex lacerations and affect repair planning.
`T81.89XA`	Other complications of procedures, initial encounter	Used if post‑procedure complications arise requiring additional treatment during the postoperative period.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`12032`	Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm	Used for less complex layered closures without extensive undermining or scar revision; considered when tissue loss or complexity is minimal compared with `13132`.
`13131`	Complex repair, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and/or feet; 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm	Used when the complex repair length falls in the smaller size range; `13132` applies when the repair measures 2.6–7.5 cm.
`13133`	Complex repair of the same anatomic areas; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm	Used when the complex wound exceeds the `13132` size range and a longer repair is performed.
`12034`	Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm	Used when multiple simple repairs or larger simple closures are performed adjacent to a complex repair.
`14060`	Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck; defect 10 sq cm or less	Used when flap or local tissue transfer is required in addition to or instead of complex layered closure when primary closure is not possible.

CPT 13100: Complex Repair of Wound, Trunk (1.1–2.5 cm)

CPT-13101-COMPLEX-REPAIR-WOUND-TRUNK-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

CPT 13101: Complex Repair of Wound to Trunk (2.6–7.5 cm)

CPT-13102-COMPLEX-REPAIR-TRUNK-ADDITIONAL-5CM-OR-LESS

CPT 13102: Complex Repair of Trunk, Additional 5 cm or Less

CPT-13120-COMPLEX-REPAIR-WOUND-1-1-TO-2-5-CM-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS

CPT 13120: Complex Wound Repair 1.1–2.5 cm, Scalp/Arms/Legs

CPT-13121-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

CPT 13121: Complex Repair of Scalp, Arm, or Leg Wound 2.6–7.5 cm

CPT-13122-ADDITIONAL-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS

CPT 13122: Additional Complex Wound Repair — Scalp, Arms, Legs

CPT-13131-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-CHEEK-CHIN-MOUTH-NECK-HANDS-FEET

CPT 13131: Complex Wound Repair of Cheek/Chin/Mouth/Neck/Hands

CPT-13133-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-FACE-NECK-HANDS-FEET

CPT 13133: Complex Wound Repair of Face, Neck, Hands, or Feet

CPT-13151-COMPLEX-FACIAL-LACERATION-REPAIR-1-1-TO-2-5-CM

CPT 13151: Complex Repair of Facial Wound (1.1–2.5 cm)

CPT-13152-COMPLEX-REPAIR-EYELIDS-NOSE-EARS-LIPS-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

CPT 13152: Complex Repair of Eyelids, Nose, Ears, or Lips

Showing 1–10 of 12

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure	Use when a distinct E/M (e.g., ED assessment, consent, medical decision making for laceration) is performed prior to repair.
`26`	Professional component	Use when reporting only the professional component of a service that has professional and technical components (rare for laceration repair).
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when identical complex repairs are performed on symmetric bilateral sites requiring separate reporting as allowed.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when more than one distinct procedure (other than multiple layered closure codes) is performed during the same session and payer requires modifier for reduced reimbursement.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the repair is started but not completed or scope is reduced from typical service.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances prior to completion.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate, distinct procedure (different anatomic site or separate service) performed the same day.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of the repair.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use if the same surgeon repeats the procedure later the same day for the same patient.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use if a different surgeon repeats the procedure later the same day.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room	Use when the patient returns to the OR for a related procedure during the postoperative period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by same physician during postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period.
`LT`	Left side	Use to designate laterality when required by payer reporting.
`RT`	Right side	Use to designate laterality when required by payer reporting.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Plastic Surgery	Plastic surgeons commonly perform complex facial repairs and scar revision.
207L00000X	Dermatology	Dermatologists perform complex repairs of facial and cutaneous wounds, including scar revision.
207K00000X	General Surgery	General surgeons manage complex wounds in multiple anatomic sites, including hands and feet.
207T00000X	Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	OMFS frequently repair facial lacerations involving lip, mouth, and perioral structures.
2080S0122X	Emergency Medicine	Emergency physicians often perform initial complex wound repair and debridement in acute settings.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S01.401A`	Laceration without foreign body of cheek and temporomandibular area, initial encounter	Facial lacerations of the cheek are a common indication for complex repair in this anatomic subunit.
`S01.402A`	Laceration without foreign body of left cheek and temporomandibular area, initial encounter	Side‑specific code when laterality is documented and required for billing.
`S01.5XXA`	Laceration of lip, initial encounter	Lacerations involving the mouth or lip often require layered closure and possible scar revision.
`S31.102A`	Laceration without foreign body of neck, initial encounter	Neck lacerations can require extensive undermining and layered closure due to tension and mobility.
`S61.211A`	Laceration of right wrist with tendon involvement, initial encounter	Hand and wrist lacerations sometimes require complex repair and coordination with tendon repair services.
`S00.83XA`	Contusion of other part of head, initial encounter	Associated blunt trauma may accompany complex lacerations and affect repair planning.
`T81.89XA`	Other complications of procedures, initial encounter	Used if post‑procedure complications arise requiring additional treatment during the postoperative period.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`12032`	Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm	Used for less complex layered closures without extensive undermining or scar revision; considered when tissue loss or complexity is minimal compared with `13132`.
`13131`	Complex repair, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, axillae, genitalia, hands, and/or feet; 1.1 cm to 2.5 cm	Used when the complex repair length falls in the smaller size range; `13132` applies when the repair measures 2.6–7.5 cm.
`13133`	Complex repair of the same anatomic areas; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm	Used when the complex wound exceeds the `13132` size range and a longer repair is performed.
`12034`	Simple repair of superficial wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips; 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm	Used when multiple simple repairs or larger simple closures are performed adjacent to a complex repair.
`14060`	Adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement, forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck; defect 10 sq cm or less	Used when flap or local tissue transfer is required in addition to or instead of complex layered closure when primary closure is not possible.

CPT 13100: Complex Repair of Wound, Trunk (1.1–2.5 cm)

CPT-13101-COMPLEX-REPAIR-WOUND-TRUNK-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

CPT 13101: Complex Repair of Wound to Trunk (2.6–7.5 cm)

CPT-13102-COMPLEX-REPAIR-TRUNK-ADDITIONAL-5CM-OR-LESS

CPT 13102: Complex Repair of Trunk, Additional 5 cm or Less

CPT-13120-COMPLEX-REPAIR-WOUND-1-1-TO-2-5-CM-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS

CPT 13120: Complex Wound Repair 1.1–2.5 cm, Scalp/Arms/Legs

CPT-13121-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

CPT 13121: Complex Repair of Scalp, Arm, or Leg Wound 2.6–7.5 cm

CPT-13122-ADDITIONAL-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-SCALP-ARMS-LEGS

CPT 13122: Additional Complex Wound Repair — Scalp, Arms, Legs

CPT-13131-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-CHEEK-CHIN-MOUTH-NECK-HANDS-FEET

CPT 13131: Complex Wound Repair of Cheek/Chin/Mouth/Neck/Hands

CPT-13133-COMPLEX-WOUND-REPAIR-FACE-NECK-HANDS-FEET

CPT 13133: Complex Wound Repair of Face, Neck, Hands, or Feet

CPT-13151-COMPLEX-FACIAL-LACERATION-REPAIR-1-1-TO-2-5-CM

CPT 13151: Complex Repair of Facial Wound (1.1–2.5 cm)

CPT-13152-COMPLEX-REPAIR-EYELIDS-NOSE-EARS-LIPS-2-6-TO-7-5-CM

CPT 13152: Complex Repair of Eyelids, Nose, Ears, or Lips

Showing 1–10 of 12

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 13132: Complex Wound Repair of Cheeks, Chin, Mouth, Neck

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 13132: Complex Wound Repair of Cheeks, Chin, Mouth, Neck

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Billing Code Overview

CPT 13132: Complex Wound Repair of Cheeks, Chin, Mouth, Neck

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical scenario does CPT 13132 represent?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 13132 and when should modifier 25 be applied?

What other CPT codes should be considered when coding complex facial or cutaneous wound repairs?

Which diagnosis codes commonly pair with CPT 13132?

Which specialties and service settings commonly report CPT 13132?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical scenario does CPT 13132 represent?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 13132 and when should modifier 25 be applied?

What other CPT codes should be considered when coding complex facial or cutaneous wound repairs?

Which diagnosis codes commonly pair with CPT 13132?

Which specialties and service settings commonly report CPT 13132?

References