2025 ICD-10-CM code T88.3
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Injury - Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified (T80-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88) Feed
Malignant hyperthermia due to anesthesia.An additional code is needed to specify the drug involved.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the anesthesia and the treatment provided.
The medical necessity for coding T88.3 is established when a patient develops malignant hyperthermia during anesthesia.The diagnosis requires clinical presentation consistent with malignant hyperthermia (rapid rise in temperature, muscle rigidity, etc.) supported by clinical findings. Treatment and outcome should be thoroughly documented.The use of this code also needs appropriate documentation to justify medical necessity of the treatment administered.
Anesthesiologist, critical care physician
In simple words: This code is for a serious and rare reaction to anesthesia (medicine used during surgery) called malignant hyperthermia.This reaction causes a dangerous rise in body temperature and stiff muscles.The doctor will use extra codes to show which medicine caused the problem.
Malignant hyperthermia due to anesthesia. This code is used to classify cases of malignant hyperthermia resulting from anesthesia.It is a rare, life-threatening complication characterized by a rapid rise in body temperature and muscle rigidity.An additional code from category T36-T50 (with 5th or 6th character 5) should be used to identify the specific drug causing the adverse effect.Further codes may be necessary to specify any other associated conditions or complications.
Example 1: A 45-year-old male patient undergoing general anesthesia for a hip replacement experiences a rapid rise in body temperature, muscle rigidity, and abnormal heart rhythm.The anesthesiologist recognizes the symptoms of malignant hyperthermia and initiates appropriate treatment, including dantrolene., A 22-year-old female patient undergoing dental surgery under general anesthesia develops muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, and tachycardia.Despite immediate supportive care, the patient experiences cardiac arrest.The subsequent autopsy confirms the diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia., A 16-year-old male patient undergoing a tonsillectomy under general anesthesia presents with symptoms of malignant hyperthermia. The anesthesiologist administers dantrolene, along with supportive care, resulting in the successful reversal of malignant hyperthermia. The patient recovers well post-operatively.
Complete anesthesia record, including type and amount of anesthetic agents used. Detailed description of symptoms, vital signs, laboratory findings (including CK levels), and treatment administered.Documentation of the diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia,and any post-operative complications.
** This code should only be used when malignant hyperthermia is definitively diagnosed.Differential diagnosis should exclude other conditions that may mimic malignant hyperthermia.Close collaboration with anesthesiology is essential for accurate coding.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center