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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS31.829

S31.829

Billable

Unspecified open wound of left buttock

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S31.829 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified open wound of left buttock.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An unspecified open wound of the left buttock refers to a traumatic injury characterized by a break in the skin and underlying tissues in the left gluteal region. This type of injury can result from various mechanisms, including blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, or surgical interventions. The buttock area is anatomically complex, containing muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and fat, making the assessment of such wounds critical. Open wounds can vary in severity, from superficial abrasions to deep lacerations that may involve muscle or fascia. The management of these wounds often requires careful evaluation to rule out associated injuries, particularly in cases of significant trauma where pelvic or lumbar spine injuries may coexist. Emergency surgical interventions may be necessary to control bleeding, prevent infection, and facilitate healing. Accurate coding is essential for appropriate treatment planning and reimbursement, as well as for tracking injury patterns in trauma registries.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in wound severity and depth
  • Potential for associated injuries in the pelvic region
  • Need for detailed documentation of the wound's characteristics
  • Differentiation from similar codes for other body regions

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the wound's characteristics
  • Failure to document associated injuries
  • Incorrect coding of the wound location
  • Lack of clarity in surgical intervention details

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed descriptions of the wound, associated injuries, and surgical interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma patients presenting with open wounds from falls, motor vehicle accidents, or penetrating injuries.

Billing Considerations

Ensure all associated injuries are documented to support the coding of S31.829.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment of the wound, including size, depth, and any signs of infection.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting to the emergency department with acute trauma to the buttock area.

Billing Considerations

Document the mechanism of injury and any immediate interventions performed.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S31.829 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, S31
  • 829 should be used when the specific type of open wound is not documented
  • Coders must ensure that the documentation supports the use of this code and that it is not used inappropriately when more specific codes are available

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S31.829 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for suturing an open wound on the left buttock.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size and depth of the wound, as well as the repair technique used.

Specialty Considerations

Trauma surgeons should ensure that the repair is documented in detail.

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 open wounds. This has improved the granularity of data collected for trauma cases, aiding in better patient management and research.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including open wounds. This has improved the granularity of data collected for trauma cases, aiding in better patient management and research.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including open wounds. This has improved the granularity of data collected for trauma cases, aiding in better patient 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 difference between S31.829 and S31.81?

S31.829 refers specifically to an unspecified open wound of the left buttock, while S31.81 refers to an open wound of the right buttock. Accurate coding requires attention to the specific location of the injury.