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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesN73.6

N73.6

Billable

Female pelvic peritoneal adhesions (postinfective)

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/18/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 N73.6 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of female pelvic peritoneal adhesions (postinfective).

Key Diagnostic Point:

Female pelvic peritoneal adhesions (postinfective) refer to the fibrous bands that form between pelvic organs and tissues as a result of inflammation or infection, often following conditions such as salpingitis, oophoritis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometritis, or cervicitis. These adhesions can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and complications during gynecological procedures. The formation of adhesions is a common sequela of infections in the female reproductive tract, where the inflammatory response can cause tissues to stick together. Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies such as ultrasound or MRI, and treatment may include surgical intervention to remove adhesions, along with antibiotic therapy to address any underlying infections. Understanding the patient's history of pelvic infections is crucial for accurate coding and management of this condition.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Requires understanding of multiple related conditions (PID, salpingitis, etc.)
  • Need for precise documentation of infection history
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with other gynecological conditions
  • Variability in treatment approaches and outcomes

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of infection history
  • Failure to link adhesions to specific prior infections
  • Misclassification of the type of adhesion (postinfective vs. other types)
  • Lack of clarity in surgical reports regarding adhesion removal

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Gynecology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history of pelvic infections, surgical reports, imaging results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with chronic pelvic pain, infertility evaluations, or post-surgical follow-ups.

Billing Considerations

Ensure clear documentation of the relationship between infections and adhesions for accurate coding.

Infectious Disease

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive records of infection treatments, response to antibiotics, and follow-up care.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Management of recurrent pelvic infections leading to adhesions.

Billing Considerations

Documenting the timeline of infections and their resolution is critical for coding.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use N73.6 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when there is clear documentation of postinfective adhesions

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use N73.6 When
  • Exclude cases where adhesions are not linked to prior infections

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

58661CPT Code

Laparoscopy, surgical, with lysis of adhesions

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient with N73.6 undergoes surgery to remove adhesions.

Documentation Requirements

Surgical reports must detail the presence of adhesions and the procedure performed.

Specialty Considerations

Gynecologists must ensure that the surgical necessity is well documented.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of conditions like N73.6, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. It emphasizes the importance of detailed documentation of the patient's history and the relationship between infections and adhesions.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of conditions like N73.6, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. It emphasizes the importance of detailed documentation of the patient's history and the relationship between infections and adhesions.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes. It emphasizes the importance of detailed documentation of the patient's history and the relationship between infections and adhesions.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common causes of female pelvic peritoneal adhesions?

Common causes include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), salpingitis, oophoritis, endometritis, and cervicitis, all of which can lead to inflammation and subsequent adhesion formation.