2025 ICD-10-CM code J95.4
Chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia. This condition, also known as Mendelson's syndrome, involves lung inflammation caused by aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia.
Medical necessity for the diagnosis and treatment of chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia must be supported by documentation of the aspiration event, clinical signs and symptoms of respiratory distress, and diagnostic evidence of lung inflammation.
The physician is responsible for diagnosing and managing chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia, which includes ensuring appropriate documentation about the event during surgery, signs and symptoms, treatment, and follow-up care. The anesthesiologist plays a role in identification and immediate intervention.
In simple words: This code describes lung inflammation caused by inhaling stomach contents during anesthesia, sometimes called Mendelson's syndrome.
Chemical pneumonitis caused by the inhalation or aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia. This is often referred to as Mendelson's syndrome.It manifests as post-procedural aspiration pneumonia.
Example 1: A patient undergoing a cholecystectomy aspirates gastric contents during anesthesia, developing chemical pneumonitis postoperatively., A pregnant woman receiving general anesthesia for a Cesarean section experiences Mendelson's syndrome due to aspiration., An elderly patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease undergoing hernia repair develops chemical pneumonitis despite prophylactic measures.
Documentation should include details about the aspiration event, the type and amount of aspirate, the onset and nature of respiratory symptoms, arterial blood gas results, chest X-ray or CT scan findings, treatment administered (e.g., oxygen therapy, corticosteroids, antibiotics), and the patient's response to treatment.
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine, Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital