Laceration without foreign body of left front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity
ICD-10 S21.112 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration without foreign body of left front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity.
S21.112 refers to a laceration of the left front wall of the thorax that does not involve a foreign body and does not penetrate the thoracic cavity. This type of injury is often the result of blunt or penetrating trauma, such as from a fall, motor vehicle accident, or an assault. Clinically, it is important to assess for associated injuries, including rib fractures, pneumothorax, hemothorax, or cardiac injuries, as these can complicate the management of the laceration. The absence of penetration into the thoracic cavity suggests that while the skin and possibly underlying soft tissues are damaged, vital structures such as the lungs and heart remain intact. Treatment typically involves wound care, possible suturing, and monitoring for complications. In cases where there is concern for deeper injury, imaging studies such as chest X-rays or CT scans may be warranted to rule out associated thoracic injuries.
Detailed description of the injury, mechanism of injury, and any associated injuries.
Patients presenting with trauma from falls, MVCs, or assaults.
Ensure all associated injuries are documented to avoid undercoding.
Operative reports detailing the laceration repair and any additional procedures performed.
Surgical intervention for laceration repair or management of associated thoracic injuries.
Document the extent of the laceration and any complications encountered during surgery.
Used for repair of the laceration in the emergency department.
Document the size of the laceration and the method of repair.
Emergency medicine providers should ensure accurate documentation of the injury mechanism.
S21.112 specifies a laceration of the left front wall of the thorax without penetration, while S21.11 is a more general code for lacerations of the thorax without specifying the side or depth.
