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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS31.104

S31.104

Billable

Unspecified open wound of abdominal wall, left lower quadrant without penetration into peritoneal cavity

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S31.104 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified open wound of abdominal wall, left lower quadrant without penetration into peritoneal cavity.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An unspecified open wound of the abdominal wall in the left lower quadrant indicates a traumatic injury that has resulted in a break in the skin and underlying tissues without breaching the peritoneal cavity. This type of injury can occur due to various mechanisms, including blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, or surgical complications. The left lower quadrant houses several vital structures, including parts of the colon, the left ovary in females, and the left ureter. Therefore, while the wound itself does not penetrate the peritoneum, there is a risk of associated injuries to these structures. Clinical evaluation is crucial to assess for potential complications such as internal bleeding or organ damage. Emergency surgical intervention may be required to manage the wound, especially if there are signs of infection or if the wound is extensive. Proper wound care and monitoring for signs of complications are essential in the management of these injuries.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in documentation of wound type and extent
  • Need for precise anatomical localization
  • Differentiation from similar codes for abdominal injuries
  • Potential for associated injuries requiring additional coding

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to document associated injuries
  • Misclassification of wound type
  • Lack of follow-up documentation

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed description of the injury mechanism, assessment findings, and treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma cases from accidents, falls, or assaults presenting with abdominal wall injuries.

Billing Considerations

Ensure thorough documentation of any imaging studies or consultations that may impact coding.

General Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports detailing the nature of the wound, surgical interventions performed, and post-operative care.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical repair of abdominal wall injuries or management of complications from trauma.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding of any additional procedures performed during surgery is essential.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S31.104 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when there is clear documentation of an open wound in the specified location without peritoneal penetration

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S31.104 When
  • Exclude codes for closed wounds or those with complications

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used when the open wound requires suturing without complications.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size of the wound and the method of repair.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the procedure is performed by a qualified provider.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. This code provides specificity that was often lacking in ICD-9.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. This code provides specificity that was often lacking in ICD-9.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes. This code provides specificity that was often lacking in ICD-9.

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 an open wound and a closed wound?

An open wound involves a break in the skin or mucous membrane, exposing underlying tissues, while a closed wound does not break the skin and may involve bruising or internal damage.