2025 ICD-10-CM code K35.20
(Valid) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Diseases of the digestive system - Diseases of appendix (K35-K38) Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95) Feed
Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis, without abscess.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis, confirmed by appropriate diagnostic testing. The absence of an abscess should also be clearly documented.
Clinicians diagnosing and treating acute appendicitis.
- Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
- Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)Diseases of appendix (K35-K38)Acute appendicitis (K35)Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis (K35.2)Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis, without abscess (K35.20)
In simple words: This code indicates a severe form of appendicitis where the infection has spread throughout the abdomen, but there's no collection of pus (abscess).
Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis, without abscess. This code specifies acute inflammation of the appendix that has spread to the entire peritoneum, but without the formation of an abscess.
Example 1: A patient presents with severe abdominal pain, fever, and rebound tenderness. Imaging reveals an inflamed appendix and signs of peritonitis, but no abscess formation., A patient undergoes surgery for suspected appendicitis, and the surgeon finds the appendix ruptured with widespread peritonitis, but no localized abscess., A patient experiences sudden, severe abdominal pain radiating to the right lower quadrant, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Diagnostic studies confirm acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis, but no abscess is identified.
Documentation should include physical exam findings (e.g., rebound tenderness, guarding), imaging results (e.g., CT scan, ultrasound), and operative reports (if surgery is performed). Any evidence of perforation should be explicitly documented.
- Specialties:General surgery, emergency medicine, gastroenterology.
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, and others based on specific patient encounter.