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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS31.159

S31.159

Billable

Open bite of abdominal wall, unspecified quadrant without penetration into peritoneal cavity

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S31.159 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of open bite of abdominal wall, unspecified quadrant without penetration into peritoneal cavity.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An open bite of the abdominal wall refers to a traumatic injury characterized by a laceration or puncture that does not penetrate the peritoneal cavity. This type of injury can occur due to various mechanisms, including animal bites, human bites, or sharp objects. The abdominal wall is composed of several layers, including skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and fascia. An open bite may involve any of these layers, leading to potential complications such as infection, hematoma, or abscess formation. The unspecified quadrant designation indicates that the injury could occur in any of the four quadrants of the abdomen (right upper, right lower, left upper, left lower) but does not provide specific localization. Proper assessment and management are crucial to prevent complications, and surgical intervention may be necessary to clean the wound, repair damaged tissues, and ensure proper healing. Emergency care often involves thorough wound cleaning, possible debridement, and monitoring for signs of infection or other complications.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in documentation of bite injuries
  • Need for precise anatomical localization
  • Differentiation from other abdominal wall injuries
  • Potential for associated injuries requiring additional coding

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to specify the quadrant of the injury
  • Misclassification of the injury type (e.g., open vs. closed)
  • Lack of follow-up documentation regarding treatment outcomes

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

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

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with bite wounds from animals or humans, requiring immediate care.

Billing Considerations

Ensure thorough documentation of the injury's nature and any associated injuries.

General Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports detailing the surgical intervention, including wound exploration and repair.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical intervention for infected or complicated bite wounds requiring debridement.

Billing Considerations

Document the extent of tissue involvement and any complications encountered during surgery.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S31.159 When
  • Follow ICD
  • CM guidelines for coding injuries, ensuring accurate documentation of the injury type, location, and any associated conditions

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S31.159 When
  • Exclude codes for injuries that penetrate the peritoneal cavity

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for suturing an open bite wound in the emergency department.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists 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, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. S31.159 provides a clear distinction for open bite injuries without peritoneal involvement, enhancing clinical understanding and treatment planning.

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. S31.159 provides a clear distinction for open bite injuries without peritoneal involvement, enhancing clinical understanding and treatment planning.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes. S31.159 provides a clear distinction for open bite injuries without peritoneal involvement, enhancing clinical understanding and treatment planning.

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 S31.159 and S31.150?

S31.159 refers to an open bite of the abdominal wall without penetration into the peritoneal cavity, while S31.150 indicates an open bite with such penetration, which has different clinical implications and coding requirements.