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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS31.12

S31.12

Billable

Laceration with foreign body of abdominal wall without penetration into peritoneal cavity

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/23/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S31.12 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration with foreign body of abdominal wall without penetration into peritoneal cavity.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S31.12 refers to a specific type of abdominal wall injury characterized by a laceration that includes a foreign body but does not penetrate the peritoneal cavity. This condition typically arises from traumatic incidents such as accidents, falls, or penetrating injuries where an object becomes embedded in the abdominal wall. Clinically, it is crucial to assess the extent of the laceration, the nature of the foreign body, and any associated injuries to the abdominal organs or structures. The absence of penetration into the peritoneal cavity is significant, as it reduces the risk of intra-abdominal complications such as peritonitis or organ damage. Management often involves surgical intervention to remove the foreign body, repair the laceration, and prevent infection. Proper documentation of the injury mechanism, foreign body characteristics, and treatment provided is essential for accurate coding and billing.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Differentiating between types of foreign bodies (e.g., metal, glass, organic material)
  • Assessing the depth and extent of the laceration
  • Determining the need for surgical intervention versus conservative management
  • Documenting associated injuries to adjacent structures

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body type and size
  • Failure to specify the mechanism of injury
  • Misclassification of the injury depth
  • Lack of clarity on whether surgical intervention was performed

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed account of the injury mechanism, foreign body characteristics, and treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma from accidents, falls, or assaults with embedded objects.

Billing Considerations

Ensure thorough documentation of vital signs and any immediate interventions performed.

General Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports detailing the surgical approach, foreign body removal, and repair techniques.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical intervention for lacerations requiring exploration and repair.

Billing Considerations

Document the condition of surrounding tissues and any additional findings during surgery.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S31.12 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, S31
  • 12 should be used when the laceration is confirmed to have a foreign body without penetration into the peritoneal cavity
  • Coders must ensure that the documentation supports the diagnosis and that all relevant details are captured

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S31.12 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used when the laceration is repaired without complications.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size and location of the laceration, as well as the method of repair.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine and surgical specialties should ensure accurate coding based on the complexity of the repair.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and treatment outcomes, ultimately improving patient care.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and treatment outcomes, ultimately improving patient care.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and treatment outcomes, ultimately improving patient care.

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 is the significance of the foreign body in S31.12?

The presence of a foreign body complicates the laceration and requires specific management to prevent infection and other complications. Accurate documentation of the foreign body type and size is essential for coding.