15851 Removal suture/staple req anesthesia
Also known as: suture removal, staple removal
Removal of sutures or staples requiring anesthesia due to depth, difficulty, or patient pain tolerance, performed as a separate procedure.
In Plain Language
Stitch or staple removal with numbing; Surgical removal of stitches
Clinical Context
Performed when simple office removal is not feasible due to location complexity, depth, or patient anxiety. Used for deep fascial closures or complex wound repairs.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.07 |
| Total RVU | 1.07 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.07, this code ranks in the 5th percentile among Surgery codes — 7.5x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 15851?
CPT 15851 (Removal suture/staple req anesthesia) is a Surgery code. Removal of sutures or staples requiring anesthesia due to depth, difficulty, or patient pain tolerance, performed as a separate procedure.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 15851?
The work RVU for CPT 15851 is 1.07. This code is primarily used by General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery.
When is CPT 15851 used?
Performed when simple office removal is not feasible due to location complexity, depth, or patient anxiety. Used for deep fascial closures or complex wound repairs.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.