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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS31.109

S31.109

Billable

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

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S31.109 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified open wound of abdominal wall, unspecified quadrant without penetration into peritoneal cavity.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An unspecified open wound of the abdominal wall refers to a traumatic injury that results in a break in the skin and underlying tissues of the abdominal wall, occurring in any of the quadrants without penetrating the peritoneal cavity. This type of injury can arise from various causes, including blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, or surgical complications. The abdominal wall is composed of multiple layers, including skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle, and injuries can vary in severity from superficial lacerations to deeper wounds affecting muscle and fascia. The absence of penetration into the peritoneal cavity indicates that the internal organs are not directly involved, which may reduce the risk of complications such as peritonitis. Clinical management typically involves wound care, assessment for associated injuries, and potential surgical intervention depending on the extent of the wound and the patient's overall condition. Accurate coding is essential for proper treatment documentation and reimbursement.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

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

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to specify the quadrant of the wound
  • Lack of detail regarding associated injuries
  • Inconsistent coding practices among providers

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed description of the mechanism of injury, assessment of vital signs, and any interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with abdominal trauma from accidents, falls, or assaults.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all associated injuries are documented to support additional coding.

General Surgery

Documentation Requirements

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

Common Clinical Scenarios

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

Billing Considerations

Accurate documentation of the surgical approach and any complications is crucial for coding.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S31.109 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, this code should be used when the wound is not specified in terms of depth or quadrant
  • It is important to document the mechanism of injury and any associated injuries to support the use of this code

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S31.109 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 the open wound in the emergency department.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size, location, and depth of the wound.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers 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 open wounds, improving the granularity of data for tracking and reimbursement. S31.109 provides a clear designation for unspecified wounds, which can help in clinical management and research.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of open wounds, improving the granularity of data for tracking and reimbursement. S31.109 provides a clear designation for unspecified wounds, which can help in clinical management and research.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement. S31.109 provides a clear designation for unspecified wounds, which can help in clinical management and research.

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 'unspecified' in S31.109?

The term 'unspecified' indicates that the documentation does not provide specific details about the wound's location or characteristics, which can impact treatment decisions and coding accuracy.