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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS31.21

S31.21

Billable

Laceration without foreign body of penis

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S31.21 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration without foreign body of penis.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S31.21 refers to a laceration of the penis that occurs without the presence of a foreign body. This type of injury can result from various mechanisms, including trauma from accidents, sexual activity, or self-inflicted injuries. Clinically, it is important to assess the extent of the laceration, as it may involve superficial layers of skin or deeper structures, including the corpus spongiosum or corpus cavernosum. The management of such injuries often requires careful evaluation to rule out associated injuries to the urethra or other genitourinary structures. In cases of significant laceration, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair the tissue and restore function. The absence of a foreign body simplifies the coding process, as it eliminates the need for additional codes that would apply if a foreign object were involved. Accurate documentation of the mechanism of injury, the extent of the laceration, and any associated injuries is crucial for proper coding and billing.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in injury severity and associated complications
  • Need for detailed documentation of injury mechanism
  • Potential for associated genitourinary injuries
  • Differentiation from similar codes related to genital trauma

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of injury mechanism
  • Failure to document associated injuries
  • Misclassification of laceration severity
  • Inconsistent coding of similar injuries

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Urology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed notes on the extent of the laceration, any surgical interventions performed, and follow-up care.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Management of penile lacerations following trauma, surgical repair of lacerations, and evaluation for urethral injury.

Billing Considerations

Urologists must ensure that any potential urethral injury is documented and assessed, as this can affect treatment and coding.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment of the injury, including mechanism of injury, vital signs, and any immediate interventions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Initial evaluation and management of penile lacerations in the emergency department setting.

Billing Considerations

Emergency physicians should document the mechanism of injury clearly to support the coding of the laceration.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S31.21 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, S31
  • 21 should be used when a laceration of the penis is documented without any foreign body present
  • Coders should ensure that the documentation supports the diagnosis and that any associated injuries are coded appropriately

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S31.21 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for repair of a laceration without foreign body.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size and location of the laceration.

Specialty Considerations

Urologists should ensure that the repair is documented as a simple or complex repair based on the extent of the injury.

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 lacerations of the penis. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and outcomes, which can improve patient care and resource allocation.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including lacerations of the penis. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and outcomes, which can improve patient care and resource allocation.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including lacerations of the penis. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury types and outcomes, which can improve patient care and resource allocation.

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 difference between S31.21 and S31.22?

S31.21 is used for lacerations of the penis without a foreign body, while S31.22 is for lacerations that involve a foreign body. Accurate documentation is crucial to determine which code to use.