In simple words: This code is for frostbite that has caused tissue damage (necrosis) in the right ear.This is used the first time this injury is treated by a doctor.

This code is used to classify frostbite with tissue necrosis affecting the right ear during the initial encounter for this condition.It signifies the first time this specific injury is documented and treated.The code requires additional coding to specify the cause of the injury using codes from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, unless the external cause is included within the T-code itself.A further code from category Z18.- should be added if a retained foreign body is present.

Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency room with severe frostbite affecting their right ear, exhibiting signs of tissue necrosis.The physician diagnoses frostbite with tissue necrosis of the right ear (initial encounter) and initiates treatment., A patient is admitted to the hospital due to frostbite sustained during a winter hiking expedition.The injury, involving the right ear, has resulted in tissue necrosis, requiring surgical debridement and subsequent wound care.The initial encounter code T34.011A is applied., A patient with pre-existing hypothermia is found to have developed frostbite with tissue necrosis in their right ear. Treatment includes addressing the hypothermia and managing the frostbite. T34.011A is assigned as part of the patient’s diagnosis, along with a secondary code for hypothermia.

Complete medical history including details of exposure to cold temperatures, physical examination findings documenting the extent of tissue damage, imaging studies (if performed) confirming necrosis, and details of the treatment provided (e.g., debridement, medications administered).

** The seventh character in the code (A, D, or S) should be appended based on whether the encounter is initial (A), subsequent (D), or a sequela (S).