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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS31.609

S31.609

Billable

Unspecified open wound of abdominal wall, unspecified quadrant with penetration into peritoneal cavity

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S31.609 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified open wound of abdominal wall, unspecified quadrant with penetration into peritoneal cavity.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An unspecified open wound of the abdominal wall that penetrates into the peritoneal cavity indicates a significant injury that can result from various traumatic events, such as blunt or penetrating trauma. This type of wound can lead to serious complications, including peritonitis, hemorrhage, and organ damage. The abdominal wall is composed of multiple layers, and an open wound may involve the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle layers, potentially exposing internal organs. The peritoneal cavity houses vital organs, and any breach can lead to contamination and infection. Emergency surgical intervention is often required to repair the wound, control bleeding, and prevent further complications. The management of such injuries typically involves thorough assessment, imaging studies, and possibly exploratory surgery to evaluate the extent of the damage and to address any injuries to the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, or other abdominal organs. Accurate coding is essential for proper reimbursement and to reflect the severity of the injury in clinical documentation.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: High

High Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in documentation of wound specifics (location, depth, and organ involvement)
  • Need for precise clinical details to differentiate from similar codes
  • Potential for multiple injuries requiring comprehensive coding
  • Emergency nature of the condition may lead to incomplete documentation

Audit Risk Factors

  • Incomplete documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Lack of specificity regarding the extent of the wound
  • Failure to document associated injuries or complications
  • Inadequate details on surgical interventions performed

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative reports, imaging studies, and notes on the mechanism of injury.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Management of trauma patients with abdominal injuries from accidents or violence.

Billing Considerations

Ensure documentation reflects the urgency and complexity of the surgical intervention.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Thorough initial assessment notes, including vital signs and imaging results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with abdominal trauma in the emergency department.

Billing Considerations

Accurate documentation of the patient's condition upon arrival and any immediate interventions performed.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S31.609 When
  • According to ICD
  • CM guidelines, this code should be used when the specific quadrant of the abdominal wall is not documented
  • Coders should ensure that the documentation supports the diagnosis and that any associated injuries are also coded appropriately
  • It is essential to follow the guidelines for coding open wounds and to consider the need for additional codes for complications

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S31.609 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

49000CPT Code

Exploratory laparotomy

Clinical Scenario

Used in cases of suspected intra-abdominal injury requiring surgical exploration.

Documentation Requirements

Operative report detailing findings and interventions.

Specialty Considerations

Trauma surgeons must document the extent of the injury and any repairs performed.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding abdominal injuries, improving the ability to capture the complexity of cases like S31.609. This specificity aids in better resource allocation and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding abdominal injuries, improving the ability to capture the complexity of cases like S31.609. This specificity aids in better resource allocation and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

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 should I document to support the use of S31.609?

Document the mechanism of injury, specific details of the wound, any associated injuries, and the surgical interventions performed to ensure accurate coding.